Broncos’ Simmons becomes highest-paid safety
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Justin Simmons’ unflinching leadership was evident Friday even though he wasn’t anywhere in sight at the Denver Broncos headquarters on the day he became the NFL’s highest-paid safety.
“I was just talking about it with Court (WR Courtland Sutton) in the locker room. This is big for him, big for (OLB Bradley) Chubb and all the young guys,” defensive end Shelby Harris said at a news conference celebrating his own big contract. “It shows that if you go out there and ball, the Broncos will take care of you.
“That’s the culture change that we’re talking about. This is family,” Harris said. “Justin is the highest-paid safety, and that’s what he deserves. You go out there and play, and they will give you what you deserve. That’s the right message you want to send to your players.”
The deal that agent Todd France negotiated with general manager George Paton includes $35 million in guarantees and is worth $61 million over four years.
The $15.25 million-per-year average also makes Simmons the first safety to break the $15 million mark. Last fall, Arizona signed Budda Baker to a four-year deal that averaged $14.75 million per season.
A third-round pick out of Boston College in 2016, Simmons has had nearly 300 tackles and a dozen interceptions in the past three years, during which time he hasn’t missed a single snap.
He had a career-best five interceptions last season when he earned his first Pro Bowl berth a year after he was selected as an All-Pro for the first time.