Justin Simmons announced his retirement from the NFL on April 29, 2026, after a remarkable career with the Denver Broncos. He leaves behind a legacy filled with individual accolades, yet his time with the team was marked by only one winning season.
Simmons joined the Broncos during the 2016 NFL Draft, shortly after they celebrated their Super Bowl 50 victory. Over nine seasons, he became a key player on defense, recording 32 career interceptions—30 of which came while wearing the Broncos’ colors.
Despite individual success, including two Pro Bowl selections and four second-team All-Pro honors, Simmons often felt the weight of team expectations. “There were a lot of positive things that happened individually,” he reflected, “but I really hold and carry a lot of that weight as a team leader.”
His statistics are impressive: Simmons finished his career with 666 tackles, 71 passes defended, and five forced fumbles across 134 games. He also never missed a game from 2018 to 2021, playing over 3,200 consecutive snaps.
Simmons’ contributions extended beyond the field. He was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award three times and won the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award three times. His philanthropic efforts through the Justin Simmons Foundation have made a significant impact in the community.
As he transitions away from football, Simmons expressed his desire to be remembered fondly. “I would just love to be remembered as not just a Bronco, but just a man that gave his all to the team, the city,” he said. His heartfelt connection to Denver is evident in his words: “Being a Denver Bronco was more than just a team. It was my heart, my home and my story.”
Simmons played his final season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 after being released by the Broncos. While he achieved great personal milestones throughout his career, many fans will remember him as a dedicated player who poured everything into his role.
