Denver Broncos fans were greeted with some pretty shocking news on Thursday morning when the team decided to part ways with veteran star safety Justin Simmons.
NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN, who broke the news, indicated that the move was to create salary cap space.
“Broncos are releasing former All-Pro safety Justin Simmons after eight seasons in Denver, per league sources. Moving on from Simmons, who went to the Pro Bowl last season, will save the Broncos $14.5 million against their salary cap,” Schefter said in a post on X, the social media website formerly known as Twitter.”
Broncos are releasing former All-Pro safety Justin Simmons after eight seasons in Denver, per league sources.
Moving on from Simmons, who went to the Pro Bowl last season, will save the Broncos $14.5 million against their salary cap. pic.twitter.com/AnBnuOVOlQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2024
Regardless of the salary cap space it created, it was still a pretty shocking move for Broncos fans as Simmons is not only one of the top safeties in the entire league but a leader for the team in the locker room on the defensive side of the ball. But according to Broncos insider Benjamin Allbright, more moves like this are coming in the near future.
For Broncos fans, there are more gut punches coming.
We've talked about this on BCT extensively.
It's Sean Payton's team now.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) March 7, 2024
“For Broncos fans, there are more gut punches coming. We’ve talked about this on BCT extensively. It’s Sean Payton’s team now,” Allbright said in a post.
It’s not clear who exactly Allbright is referring to with this statement, but it is clear that Payton is intent on revamping the team to look the way he wants. Simmons appears to have been the first casualty of that process. We’ll have to see what comes next.
[Adam Schefter, Benjamin Allbright]
