Interest in free agent safety Justin Simmons has started to build as teams wrap up mandatory minicamp and plan their summer roster moves.
The Eagles and the Panthers are on a “shortlist” to land the nine-year veteran, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Sports Illustrated’s Patrick McAvoy). Both teams could use the safety depth after moving on from C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Xavier Woods this offseason, respectively.
Simmons is coming off somewhat of a down year in Atlanta after earning Pro Bowl or second-team All-Pro honors in his previous five seasons in Denver. That period included three years under then-Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, who is now the Eagles’ defensive coordinator. Simmons has played some of his best football in Fangio’s two-high defenses and could look to reunite with his former coach this year.
Simmons is familiar with Panthers DC Ejiro Evero, as well. He held the same position in Denver in 2022, when Simmons recorded a career-high six interceptions. Evero also spent the 2021 season in Los Angeles under Raheem Morris, who coached Simmons in Atlanta last year.
The Panthers have reached out to Simmons’ representation, per Joe Person of The Athletic, though no deal is imminent. He earned $7.5MM from the Falcons last year and is likely looking for similar compensation for the 2025 season.
Howie szn
He’s made clear he wants to play for Philly for months. The question is if philly wants him. Blankenship is locked in as a starter. Brown and mukuba are fighting for the other spot. Plus they’ve said dejean will get snaps at safety when they don’t have a 5th dback on the field. Do they have enough snaps to justify paying him 7.5 mil (assuming that’s what he wants)?
I don’t see it, even if you don’t include they have a couple other young guys that would be solid special teams guys, and cost them 1/10th of simmons
With the Drafting of Mukuba, I think it was clear they were not looking to add Simmons. I thought it was a chance before the draft, but clearly the Eagles took Mukuba to battle Brown for the other safety slot.