ESPN: Giants Close in to Sign Broncos Current no.1 and highest paid Star in the NFL in a Blockbuster Deal.
Giants stand a decent chance of acquiring Justin Simmons, which would improve the backup
Justin Simmons, a free safety, was let go by the Denver Broncos earlier this year, but the two-time Pro Bowler will most likely don a new uniform this summer and most likely before the 2024 season begins.
The 30-year-old Simmons is favorite to sign with the New York Giants with odds of +400, according to BetOnline. The Giants will probably need to pay Simmons a higher contract than the Philadelphia Eagles (+600), Buffalo Bills (+800), San Francisco 49ers (+900), and Cleveland Browns (+900) if they hope to sign him. Though there have been a few other teams mentioned as well, the Giants seem to be in the greatest spot just a few weeks before training camp begins.
On defense, the Giants could definitely use a lot of assistance. Although they strengthened their pass rush in the summer by adding outside linebacker Brian Burns, the Giants defense finished 27th last season as New York gave up 361.7 yards per game. They were not only vulnerable to that, but they also had trouble scoring defense. The Giants finished 26th in the league as a result of their 23.9 points allowed per game.
Tyler Nubin, a safety selected by the Giants out of Minnesota, has the potential to grow into a reliable defensive back with broad versatility. At 6-1 and 199 pounds, he is a nice size for a safety, but playing in the NFL is much more complicated than in the Big Ten. This implies that Nubin may need a year or more to develop into a player who can be relied upon completely.
If Simmons joins the Giants, he might start straight away.
From 2016 to2023, Simmons played for the Broncos, and during that time, he was nothing short of exceptional. In his second season with the Broncos, he established himself as a consistent starter in the NFL. With 97 tackles from the FS position in 2018 along with 3 interceptions and 4 passes defensed, he was acknowledged as a valuable member of the squad.
Simmons’ 93 stops, 4 interceptions, 15 passes defensed, and 2 tackles for loss in 2019 earned him a spot on the second team of the All-Pro team.
In 2022, Simmons had a standout season with six interceptions that he returned 51 yards. He received credit for seven passes defensed as well. Simmons recovered one fumble and caused three others, allowing him to take the ball away from running backs and receivers. 69 tackles and two tackles for loss were also added by him.
He recorded 70 tackles, 3 interceptions, 8 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery in the previous season. He did miss several plays that he had previously made, despite the fact that he was selected to the second team as an All-Pro and made his second Pro Bowl. Nevertheless, he is regarded as one of the league’s top ballhawks.
It was evident that the Broncos made the financial decision to fire Simmons and split ways with him.
$18.25 million would have been deducted by Simmons from the salary cap. Denver saves $14.5 million on the cap with $3.75 million in dead money by letting him go.
