After failing to reach an agreement with safety Justin Simmons before the July 15 deadline, the Broncos will not be allowed to negotiate with the defensive back during the season. Simmons will play on his franchise tag this year and is scheduled to become a free agent in 2021.
During a Zoom conference call with reporters on July 28, general manager John Elway indicated that a lower-than-expected salary cap in 2021 played a part in negotiations with Simmons.
“That was a concern with all the unknowns we had,” Elway said. “Plus, our numbers we far part, too. It just didn’t feel like we were going to get there, so we didn’t get there.”
Elway will be allowed to negotiate with Simmons again next offseason. Elway was hopeful that the safety will get a long-term deal in Denver.
“Hopefully, with what we think of Justin, we can get something done next year in the offseason, and we’d like to make him a Bronco for a long time because he’s the type of person that we want, as I said before this year started,” Elway said. “It’s unfortunate that it didn’t work out.”
