Broncos franchise tag Simmons again

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Broncos safety Justin Simmons is the first NFL player to be franchise tagged in 2021.

NFL teams have until 2 p.m. MST Tuesday to use the tag to prevent a pending free agent from hitting the open market.

The Broncos went ahead Friday and tagged their star safety for the second consecutive year. They have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal or Simmons would have to sign his $13.7 million franchise tag tender to play in 2021.

The sooner they work out a deal, the better for the Broncos, who would like some cost certainty heading into free agency, where they have amongst the most salary cap room in the league.

Unlike last year when negotiations never really got going because of the murky financial forecast resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, it appears the sides are headed toward an amicable solution this year.

For one thing, the $13.729 million franchise tag is about $2.3 million higher than last year’s $11.441 million tag.

For another, this year’s franchise tag number is only about $1 million shy of the $14.75 million annual salary of the NFL’s highest-paid safety, Arizona’s Budda Baker.

So, it would seem a solution is easier this time around.