On April 29, 2026, Justin Simmons announced his retirement from the NFL after nine seasons with the Denver Broncos. He reflects on a career that boasts impressive individual accolades but is overshadowed by limited team success.
Simmons joined the Broncos in 2016, right after they celebrated their Super Bowl 50 victory. Expectations were high—fans hoped he would be a cornerstone of a new era. Yet, as he steps away from the game, he leaves behind only one winning season during his tenure.
Career highlights:
- Simmons recorded 32 career interceptions, with 30 of those coming while playing for the Broncos.
- He was selected to the Pro Bowl twice and earned second-team All-Pro honors four times.
- In 2021, he became the first recipient of the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP award.
- He played over 3,200 consecutive snaps from 2018 to 2021 without missing a game.
Simmons expressed a desire to be remembered as someone who gave his all to both the team and the city. “Being a Denver Bronco was more than just a team. It was my heart, my home and my story,” he said. His commitment extended beyond football; he was also nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award three times and won the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award three times.
But despite his personal successes, Simmons carries the weight of team struggles. “There were a lot of positive things that happened individually,” he noted, “but I really hold and carry a lot of that weight as a team leader.” In total, he finished his career with 666 tackles, 71 passes defended, and five forced fumbles across 134 games.
In his final season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024—after being released by the Broncos—Simmons continued to showcase his skills but could not shake off that lingering sense of unfulfilled potential with Denver. As he hangs up his cleats, fans and teammates alike will remember him as one of the league’s most consistent safeties during his prime.