The Denver Broncos have long been known for their elite secondaries, with names like Champ Bailey, Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., and now Pat Surtain II anchoring that legacy. Justin Simmons, a four-time All-Pro and one of the most consistent safeties of the past decade, certainly deserves a spot on that list.
After signing with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, Simmons is once again a free agent at 31. As CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin points out, one intriguing possibility is Simmons landing with an AFC West rival — particularly the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Linked to big-name cover men… the [Las Vegas] Raiders could just as easily use a savvy starter on the back end under the defensively minded Pete Carroll,” Benjamin wrote.
If Simmons joins the Raiders — or any of Denver’s other divisional foes — it would pave the way for two compelling revenge games in 2025. Given his leadership, ball skills, and familiarity with the AFC West, such a signing would add both talent and intrigue to a division already full of storylines.
Beyond just filling a need in the secondary, there are two key factors why Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports listed the Las Vegas Raiders as one of the top landing spots for free agent safety Justin Simmons: cap flexibility and coaching familiarity.
“Besides possessing plenty of 2025 salary cap space to add help, the Raiders also employ pass game coordinator Joe Woods, who served as Simmons’ first defensive backs coach in Denver,” Benjamin noted.
Simmons, who led the NFL in interceptions in 2022, remains one of the most seasoned and savvy safeties on the market. While his range may have declined slightly with age, he still provides starting-level play and, at worst, would bring valuable depth and leadership to any secondary.
It’s possible Simmons’ free agency could stretch into training camp or even preseason, when teams get a clearer picture of their roster needs—or react to unexpected injuries.
