Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons will be a free agent for the first time when NFL free agency commences in less than a month.
The 26-year-old former third-round pick of the 2016 draft doesn't expect it to be a competitive and vigorous free agency, however, as Simmons explained on Monday his expectation of an impending franchise tag by Denver.
“We expect to get franchise tagged,” Simmons said, via ProFootballTalk. “We’re kind of sitting on the optimistic side of things just because in the past when the Broncos have used the tag, and [John] Elway has used it, they’ve always worked out a long-term deal. We’re pretty confident we’ll be able to work something out. Just excited, learning to appreciate the process and enjoy it.
“I’ve always been the type of guy that consistently bet on myself,” Simmons said. “Out of high school, felt like I was under-recruited. Even coming out of Boston College, an under-the-radar type of guy. … We’ll see how it all plays out. If we do get franchised, there’s still the opportunity of working out a long-term deal, which has been done in the past with Elway and the Broncos, but we’ll just have to sit back and wait and see.”
The 6-foot-3 Simmons declared for the 2016 draft after four standout collegiate seasons at Boston College and has spent the first four years of his professional tenure with the Broncos, playing as free safety in Denver's secondary. Simmons has accrued 11 interceptions in 58 games, along with appearing in the last 32 games for the AFC West club.
The Broncos are embarking on a tenuous offseason; after securing their quarterback in last year's draft in Drew Lock, the offense needs much retooling while the normally steady defense is threatening to fall apart should Denver lose track of Simmons—who doesn't appear to be going anywhere with the franchise tag—and veteran defensive back Chris Harris Jr.
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