Falcons’ Justin Simmons Returns to Denver with ‘No Bad Blood’
ATLANTA, Georgia – Justin Simmons, the Atlanta Falcons’ star safety, will face his former team, the Denver Broncos, on Sunday for the first time since signing with the Falcons in March. Simmons spent six seasons with the Broncos, earning two Pro Bowl selections and one All-Pro honor during his tenure. Despite the departure, Simmons holds no grudges against his former team.
“There’s no bad blood,” Simmons said. “I had a great time in Denver. I still have a lot of friends there, and I’m excited to see them. But once the game starts, it’s all business.”
A Memorable Denver Tenure
Simmons joined the Broncos as a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as a key member of Denver’s defense, recording 25 interceptions and 12 forced fumbles during his time with the team. In 2019, Simmons earned his first Pro Bowl selection after leading the NFL with five interceptions. He followed that up with another Pro Bowl appearance in 2020 and an All-Pro selection in 2021.
The Falcon’s Nest
Despite his success in Denver, Simmons sought a new challenge in Atlanta. The Falcons signed him to a three-year, $32 million contract in March, making him one of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL. Simmons has quickly become a leader in Atlanta’s defense, recording 20 tackles and two interceptions in four games.
Familiar Faces
Simmons will face several familiar faces on Sunday, including former teammates Kareem Jackson, Von Miller, and Bradley Chubb. He is also eager to face Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, whom he intercepted twice in 2019.
“It’s going to be a special moment,” Simmons said. “I’m going to have a lot of emotions running through me. But at the end of the day, I’m here to win a football game.”
A Different Denver
The Broncos are a much different team than the one Simmons left behind. They traded Miller to the Los Angeles Rams in the offseason and have struggled to find consistency under new head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Wilson has also had a slow start to his Broncos career, throwing for only 743 yards and five touchdowns in four games.
Despite Denver’s struggles, Simmons knows that they are capable of putting up a fight.
“They’ve got a lot of talent on that team,” Simmons said. “They’re going to be a tough opponent, and we’re going to have to be ready to play our best.”
Falcons Aiming High
The Falcons are also looking to improve their record to 3-2 with a win over the Broncos. After starting the season 0-2, Atlanta has won two straight games behind the strong play of quarterback Marcus Mariota and running back Cordarrelle Patterson. Simmons believes that the Falcons have the potential to make a deep playoff run this season.
“We’ve got a lot of talent on this team,” Simmons said. “We’re starting to come together, and I think we can be a dangerous team. We’re just scratching the surface of our potential.”
Simmons and the Falcons will face the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on CBS.