Denver Broncos place franchise tag on Justin Simmons again

Broncos safety Justin Simmons is first NFL player to be franchise tagged in 2021.

NFL teams have until Tuesday at 4 p.m. EST to use tag to prevent a pending free nt from hitting open market.

Broncos went ahe Friday and tagged ir star safety for second consecutive year. y have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal or Simmons would have to sign his $13.7 million franchise tag tender to play in 2021.

sooner y work out a deal, better for Broncos, who would like some cost certainty heing into free ncy, where y have amongst most salary cap room in league.

Unlike last year when negotiations never really got going because of murky financial forecast resulting from coronavirus pandemic, it appears sides are heed toward an amicable solution this year.

For one thing, $13.729 million franchise tag is about $2.3 million higher than last year’s $11.441 million tag.

For ar, this year’s franchise tag number is only about $1 million shy of $14.75 million annual salary of NFL’s highest-paid safety, Arizona’s Budda Baker.

So, it would seem a solution is in much easier reach this time around.

“Designating Justin with franchise tag is a procedural move that allows us to continue working on a long-term deal,” general manr George Paton said in a statement. “We are completely focused on making sure Justin remains a big part of Denver Broncos for many years to come.”

Simmons has collected nearly 300 tackles and a dozen interceptions in last three years, during which time he hasn’t missed a single snap. He h a career-best five interceptions last season when he earned his first Pro Bowl berth a year after he was named All-Pro for first time.

When Paton was hired two months ago, Broncos president of football operations John Elway said “one of biggest things” on new GM’s to-do list was re-signing Simmons, one of team’s most productive and popular players.

Simmons has been one of most active players in community on a team that’s garnered a reputation for its civic involvement, and last summer Simmons emerged as one of team’s leing voices on social justice issues.

move came on same day Broncos learned that superstar linebacker Von Miller won’t face charges following an unspecified criminal probe by police in a Denver suburb.

Paton said Thursday that he wanted to keep Miller in fold but was awaiting word on his legal status.

Broncos have until March 16 to exercise Miller’s 2021 option, which would guarantee him $7 million of his $17.5 million salary.

club’s all-time sacks leer, Miller is heing into final season of six-year, $114.5 million deal he signed after leing team to Super Bowl 50 title.

He missed all last season with an ankle injury suffered just before opener.

Im credits: AP