It’s no secret the Eagles desperately want some assist on the security place, and this appears to be the proper low season to deal with that deficiency. NFL groups have been dropping their top-talented safeties over the previous few days, together with Denver releasing All-Professional Justin Simmons.
Simmons, who was set to make $18.25M, was a cap casualty for the Broncos and can now hit the free company marketplace for the primary time in his profession.
The eight-year veteran was drafted by the Broncos in 2016, and has gone on to be one of many high safeties within the league. He’s a 4x All-Professional and 2x Professional Bowler, with an insane stat sheet that features 604 whole tackles, 64 passes defended, 30 interceptions (1 decide 6), 5 compelled fumbles, and 4.5 sacks.
Other than his on-field resume, Simmons was additionally notably a locker room chief and an lively member within the Denver neighborhood.
Simmons being lower is the type of transfer that may make different groups comfortable, however will draw anger from his teammates and even from gamers across the league.
This shit loopy! No loyalty for something or anyone on this league!Dude has been All Professional and Professional Bowler constantly and a staple of Denver!!What’s actually happening with this exodus on safeties?? https://t.co/JeqMkGiEgG
— Nino (@qdiggs6) March 7, 2024
The security place is certainly getting a giant shake up this offseason, with Simmons simply one of many newest to hit the market. Simmons joins Jordan Poyer, Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Rayshawn Jenkins, Eddie Jackson, and Keanu Neal (failed bodily), who’ve all been launched by their groups over the previous couple weeks.
The Eagles will assuredly look to usher in some younger expertise on the security place, however in addition they really want some extra veteran expertise within the secondary. To not point out, as has been the case for practically a decade and was highlighted as soon as once more in 2023, they really want depth within the backend, too.
With so many proficient safeties hitting the market on the similar time, there’s certain to be some valuation shifts, however Simmons would nonetheless be an excellent addition. Plus, he performed for brand spanking new Eagles’ DC Vic Fangio in Denver, and is somebody who may are available in and get to work instantly.
Simmons opened up about his relationship with Fangio to The Inquirer again in February.
“I owe a whole lot of my success to Vic and his employees, as a result of simply the way in which they applied their protection and made me be taught the sport in a complete new perspective,” the 30-year-old Simmons stated earlier than Friday’s observe at his second-career Professional Bowl look. “It was a complete new protection, it was a complete new method of studying. So Philadelphia’s acquired an excellent one.”
What do you assume? Ought to the Eagles signal Justin Simmons?