Nick Shook
Around The NFL Writer
Simmons brings with him a sterling reputation built on an NFL-best 30 interceptions recorded since 2016, and stands as the only player in the league to record at least two interceptions in every season from 2016-2023. The 30 picks are the third-most among active safeties behind Minnesota's Harrison Smith (34) and New Orleans' Tyrann Mathieu (33).
With four second-team All-Pro honors to his name, Simmons has maintained a place as one of the NFL's top safeties, but suffered as part of a Broncos defense that finished 29th in yards allowed per game and 27th in points allowed per contest in 2023, posting his lowest coverage grade (63.4) since 2018, per Pro Football Focus. Without him, the Broncos were significantly worse, surrendering 49 points and 338 passing yards per game in the two contests in which Simmons did not participate (a 70-20 loss to Miami and 31-28 win over Chicago) last season.
This reality couldn't convince Denver to keep Simmons, not after they took a massive dead cap hit by releasing quarterback Russell Wilson.
Simmons will aim to continue his otherwise stellar career in a new uniform, adding talent to a Falcons defense that already features standout safety Jessie Bates.
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The Patriots got a much better look at their No. 3 overall pick on Thursday night, and Drake Maye gave New England reason for a hopeful future in his second preseason outing.
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Rams assistant coach Aubrey Pleasant will serve as the team's head coach for Saturday's preseason game versus the Chargers, Sean McVay announced Thursday.
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The Philadelphia Eagles earned their second victory of the preseason after topping the New England Patriots on Thursday night, 14-13.
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Russell Wilson is slated to make his Pittsburgh Steelers preseason debut Saturday night against the Buffalo Bills so long as "he doesn't have a setback" to the calf injury that popped up early in training camp, head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters.
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Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano has suffered a significant injury for a second consecutive year. Milano is out indefinitely after tearing his biceps this week during practice,
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It's apropos that Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.'s first joint practice was in Indianapolis, where his father carved out a Hall of Fame career.
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Diontae Johnson was traded to Carolina this offseason, where new Panthers coach Dave Canales has designs on making the 28-year-old wideout the offense's centerpiece.
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Broncos coach Sean Payton said Wednesday he knows there is a push to name a starting QB, but he likes how the entire trio -- Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson -- has performed.
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The Dallas Cowboys added more reinforcements to the defensive line, signing edge rusher Carl Lawson, who has 27 career sacks.
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Not yet five months removed from announcing his retirement, Aaron Donald was back with the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday. But he was only there to see old friends and offer pointers, not for a comeback.
