Broncos news: Denver working toward long-term deal with Justin Simmons

Justin Simmons could have a long-term future in the Mile High City. Per a new report, the Broncos are seeking to keep the fifth-year veteran.

Safety Justin Simmons could have a long-term future in the Mile High City. Per a new report, the Denver Broncos are seeking to keep the fifth-year veteran with a new contract.

According to the NFL Network's James Palmer on Twitter, Simmons, 26, and the Broncos have continued progressing on long-term contract extension negotiations.

I reported on @nflnetwork that even though S Justin Simmons agreed to sign his tag, both sides are continuing to talk to see if they can get a long term deal done. Not saying one will happen, but the 4 players who have been tagged by Elway all reached multiyear deals b4 deadline

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) July 13, 2020

Simmons, a former third-round selection out of Boston College by the Broncos in the 2016 NFL Draft, has yet to reach Pro Bowl selection status in his four-year professional tenure, but he has impressed the club enough to get the elusive franchise tag earlier in the offseason.

Back in May of this year, former Broncos star quarterback, now general manager, John Elway commented on the situation to reach a long-term deal with the defensive back.

“As far as Justin, we’re in negotiations right now,” Broncos general manager John Elway said on a conference call with the team’s beat writers Monday. “We’ve given them an offer. They gave us an offer back. We’re in active negotiations with Justin.”

Appearing in all 16 games this past season, Simmons recorded 93 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and a career-best four interceptions for the Broncos.

According to Palmer, all four of the prior players Elway has previously assigned the franchise tag inked multi-year contract extensions with the Broncos before the deadline for tagged players. Those four previous players include kicker Matt Prater (2012), offensive tackle Ryan Clady (2013), wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (2015), and star pass rusher Von Miller (2016).

Could Simmons be the lone player in Broncos history to avoid signing a long-term deal with the franchise? Unlikely, according to this latest update on the matter.