Broncos 'very unlikely' to bring back former NFL interceptions leader

There aren't a ton of plug-and-play starters on the open market at this point of the offseason. 

There are still a few, however, and they are highlighted by a former Denver Bronco who led the league in interceptions just two seasons ago.

That player is two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons, the co-leader in interceptions (6) for the 2022 campaign.

Why a player of Simmons' caliber is still available is unknown, but the team he began his career with as a third-round pick in 2016 doesn't even seem interested in bringing him back.

According to Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post, the Broncos are "very unlikely" to re-sign Simmons ahead of the 2024 season.

Why Denver would completely shut to door on a reunion is a bit of a head-scratcher. If the season were to start today, the team would be rolling with safeties Brandon Jones (who was just signed to a three-year, $20 million deal this offseason) and Caden Sterns (a fifth-round pick in 2021).

Jones and Sterns aren't bad by any means, but they are far less experienced than Simmons.

The biggest question may be what type of money Simmons is hoping to receive. The Broncos have just $8.7 million in cap space, per Over The Cap.

However, it would likely be hard to find a team that's willing to dish out a ton of money this deep into the offseason. If Simmons is overestimating his value, he may be waiting to find his new home even longer.

As for Denver, all signs point toward the team having moved on – even if Simmons was willing to come back on a team-friendly deal. The Broncos in early March put out a long statement thanking Simmons for his eight years and have given his No. 31 jersey to rookie fifth-round cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine.

Simmons, 30, proved he has a lot of good football left in him last season, registering 70 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three interceptions and eight passes defensed. 

Where he'll play next remains a mystery, but it seems you can take the Broncos off the list of potential suitors.