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Bronco Icon Justin Simmons Retires After 32 Interceptions

4/30/2026

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Summary

Justin Simmons Retires

Justin Simmons retired on April 29, 2026 after signing a contract to retire as a Bronco years after his 2016 draft.
He finished with 32 interceptions, 666 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 134 games.
He earned four second-team All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2023.
After being released in March 2024, he started all 16 games for the Falcons that season and volunteered over 3,500 minutes with local charities.

Summary

Simmons Retires

The Broncos released Simmons in 2024 because of salary-cap constraints.
He will sign a one-day contract to retire as a Denver Bronco.
Simmons earned $70 million in his career, including a $7.5 million deal with the Falcons.
He was a three-time Walter Payton Man of the Year, three-time captain, and the locker-room’s public face.
Simmons said he is excited for the next chapter, calling his post-playing plans new and fresh.

History

Historical Context

When the NFL imposed its first salary cap in 1994—$33.8 million per team—it forced clubs like the San Diego Chargers to shed dozens of starters. Denver Broncos applied the same pressure, trimming its roster in the mid-1990s and again in 2024 when safety Justin Simmons was cut and later signed a one-day retirement contract, illustrating the cap’s lasting impact.

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Justin Simmons Retires

Justin Simmons retired on April 29, 2026 after signing a contract to retire as a Bronco years after his 2016 draft.
He finished with 32 interceptions, 666 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 134 games.
He earned four second-team All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2023.
After being released in March 2024, he started all 16 games for the Falcons that season and volunteered over 3,500 minutes with local charities.

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