The most overvalued San Francisco 49ers player is now in serious talks to leave the team.
Justin Simmons, a former safety for the Denver Broncos, is still a free agent, but this predicted destination makes a ton of sense for 2024. It was unexpected for the Broncos to cut Simmons at the beginning of their 2024 offseason, but what surprised us even more was that he was still available as a free agency despite the strength of the FA safety class.
Maybe Justin Simmons is simply waiting for the right opportunity to join a championship squad. Perhaps he is holding out for the best contract offer by continuing to remain unsigned. He’s still available, for whatever reason, but Bleacher Report appears to believe San Francisco would be the greatest place for him to settle.
Here is the complete synopsis of Justin Simmons’ 49ers, as suggested by Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder:
“The fact that Justin Simmons is still available is a little shocking. He was let go mostly due to his hefty deal, which won’t be a problem at this point in the game, because the Denver Broncos were approaching the cap at the start of the offseason. The eight-year veteran was effective last season and has a short injury history.
“Simmons earned his second Pro Bowl selection last season and was a second-team All-Pro selection in both 2022 and 2021,” Kristopher Knox of B/R noted. “He finished his 2023 campaign with 70 tackles, a sack, three interceptions and an 89.1 opposing passer rating.”
Ji’Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga are expected to start at safety for the San Francisco 49ers in the meantime. Although Brown performed well as a rookie and Hufanga is recovering from an ACL tear, it wouldn’t hurt to have another veteran in the mix for a backup option during training camp.
Additionally, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recently noted that Simmons might be an excellent scheme fit in San Francisco.
“I love the idea of Justin Simmons in either the Vic Fangio–style of defense he’s played in for the Broncos since 2019, or in a Seattle Seahawks–type of defense,” Breer said.
“That’s why I’d really love to see him as the center fielder in the Niners’ defense—which has historically played the Seattle three scheme, and also just brought aboard Brandon Staley (whom Simmons knows well) from the Fangio tree.”
San Francisco has almost $31.5 million in cap space available, according to Over The Cap, so the front office should have no trouble completing this combination.”
– Matt Holder
In addition to all the excellent things that have been said thus far, there is the clear Shanahan/Lynch/Broncos link. Mike Shanahan, the father of head coach Kyle Shanahan, and general manager John Lynch were both Broncos players. Additionally, the two teams have transacted trade activity.
Additionally, I think Justin Simmons should just plainly refuse to sign with a club that isn’t a legitimate Super Bowl contender. From 2016 to 2023, he was a member of the Broncos. He has only been a part of one winning squad and has not participated in any postseason games. Given his advanced age, Simmons might not have much longer to play in the NFL as a starting player.
I think he would be better off signing with a team like the San Francisco 49ers.
