Justin Simmons retires from the NFL as a member of the Denver Broncos, exactly ten years after being drafted in 2016. His career included individual accolades but fell short of significant team success.
Simmons was selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, shortly after the team won Super Bowl 50. He recorded 32 career interceptions, with 30 of them made while playing for the Broncos.
During his nine seasons, Simmons earned two Pro Bowl selections and four second-team All-Pro honors. He did not miss a game from 2018 to 2021, playing over 3,200 consecutive snaps.
Despite his personal achievements, Simmons experienced only one winning season during his eight years with the Broncos. He expressed a desire to be remembered as someone who gave his all to both the team and the city.
Key career statistics:
- Career interceptions: 32
- Total tackles: 666
- Passes defended: 71
- Forced fumbles: 5
- Total games played: 134
Simmons also received multiple nominations for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and won the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award three times. He played his final season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 after being released by the Broncos.
Reflecting on his time in Denver, Simmons stated, “Being a Denver Bronco was more than just a team. It was my heart, my home and my story.” He acknowledged that while many positive things happened individually, he felt a strong responsibility as a team leader.
