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Safety Justin Simmons Retires After Nine NFL Seasons

4/30/2026

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Summary

Justin Simmons Retires

Safety Justin Simmons announced retirement on April 29, 2026.
He was 98th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and played eight seasons with Denver and one with Atlanta.
Simmons finished with 32 interceptions, four second-team All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2023.
He will hold a noon press conference at Broncos Park and was a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and Darrent Williams Good Guy Award winner.

Summary

Simmons Sits

Simmons said he will sit in the lower bowl as a fan at the Broncos’ home opener instead of a suite.
He was released by Denver in 2024 in a salary-cap move before signing with the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted safety Xavier Watts in 2025 as a post-retirement shift.
Simmons earned three Walter Payton Man of the Year nominations and holds the NFL record with six interceptions of Patrick Mahomes.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 the NFL introduced a hard salary cap of $34.6 million, prompting teams like the San Diego Chargers to cut high-paid veterans. By 2024 the cap reached $255.4 million, forcing the Denver Broncos under owner Pat Bowlen to release safety Steve Atwater and now to cut safety Justin Simmons. The pattern shows the cap’s lasting pressure on veteran rosters.

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Justin Simmons Retires

Safety Justin Simmons announced retirement on April 29, 2026.
He was 98th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and played eight seasons with Denver and one with Atlanta.
Simmons finished with 32 interceptions, four second-team All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2023.
He will hold a noon press conference at Broncos Park and was a Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and Darrent Williams Good Guy Award winner.

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