Justin Simmons signs new four-year contract with Broncos

[Miles]

Off the field, Simmons has been just as impactful. He was the Broncos' Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in back-to-back years (2019-20), just the fourth Bronco to be nominated for the national award more than once. Simmons has worked with dozens of local organizations during his time in Denver, is a two-time winner of the Broncos' Community Ambassador Award and started a philanthropical foundation with his wife, Taryn, in 2020.


In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Simmons also made donations to local groups, and he's continued to commit his time to visit virtually with children or to take part in on issues of racial justice and other topics.


Paton hinted recently that a deal could be in the works, as he said on March 4 that the Broncos were in "discussions" with Simmons' agent and that the safety is "the type of guy we want to extend." On Friday, those negotiations became finalized terms.


The Broncos previously placed the franchise tag on Simmons, which ensured he would remain in Denver through at least the 2021 season. That decision, Paton said, was simply "a procedural move" to allow the two parties to continue to negotiate without Simmons becoming an unrestricted free agent.


"Designating Justin with the franchise tag is a procedural move that allows us to continue working on a long-term deal," Paton said in a statement on March 5. "We are completely focused on making sure Justin remains a big part of the Denver Broncos for many years to come."


Denver had until July 15 to come to a long-term agreement before Simmons would have been required to play the 2021 season on the franchise tag. Instead, they got the deal done with months to spare.


This is fifth time in the past decade that the Broncos have agreed to long-term deals with players on which they've placed the franchise tag. Simmons joins Matt Prater (2012), Ryan Clady (2013), Demaryius Thomas (2015) and Von Miller (2016) in reaching extensions. Those previous deals, though, took until July of their respective years to work out.