STUART — Justin Simmons is without a team with NFL training camp set to begin in a few weeks.
But given the experience of being in the same position in the previous year, the veteran safety is a bit more at ease and fully embracing his free agency this time around.
Simmons discussed his status on Saturday while hosting his fourth annual free football camp at South Fork High School.
“When you’re in a space where you’re in a lot of unfamiliar territory, your heart rate rises, you tend to speed up, you tend to overthink things and anxiety goes through the roof. I’m so thankful to have that experience last year, because now I feel a lot more calm,” Simmons said. “It doesn’t mean all things are calm, but at least I have an understanding of what to expect. And it makes going through this whole transition a lot easier, so it gives us avenues of wisdom to walk through. It helped slow me down so much more.”
Simmons played his ninth NFL season with the Atlanta Falcons after signing a one-year, $7.5 million contract last August.
Playing under head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, Simmons appeared and started in 16 of 17 games, recording two interceptions, seven passes defended and 62 total tackles for a Falcons squad that missed the postseason following an 8-9 record.
Simmons has already racked more than $70 million in career earnings, so money won’t dictate where his next stop will be. But the chance to reach the Super Bowl and play for a ring will.
“Honestly, the number one priority for me is just going to a contender; a team that’s going to not only make the playoffs, but is expected to go win the Super Bowl,” he said. “Nine years in the NFL, I haven’t played in a playoff game. For me, it’s about winning. The accolades will come with that, but I just want to win. I just want to find a team that’s going to win and make a long run at the Lombardi.”
The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and the Carolina Panthers have reportedly been linked to the safety, who is set to turn 32 years old in November.
“Once you hit your 30s in the NFL, a lot of people tend to write you off, but it’s been encouraging to know that there’s been a couple teams that have reached out and have shown some interest,” he said. “I want to see what that relationship looks like, but again, my family and I, we’re kind of taking it slow, enjoying the process and trying to find the right fit for the puzzle for us.”
‘Bronco for life’
One of the teams Simmons believes could be a contender is Atlanta, whether he’s back in the fold or not. Even if it lasted only one season, Simmons was complementary of his time in the ATL.
“Seeing the culture there being back down in the South, Coach (Morris) and what he’s building there with the talent that they have, I really believe that they’re going to make a run this upcoming season in the NFC South,” he said. “And so I have nothing but respect for a lot of those guys there in the organization and how Arthur Blank runs it over there. They do such a good job, both on and off the field, community service-wise. It’s just like I feel like I’m constantly surrounded just by amazing humans.”
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Simmons spent the first eight seasons with the Denver Broncos. There, he established himself as an elite player at his position, piling up more interceptions than any player since he entered the league.
Simmons was released by Denver in March 2024 for salary-cap reasons as he was set to enter the final year of a four-year, $61 million deal. But just like with Atlanta, Simmons holds no hard feelings with the Broncos.
”I think my time with Denver was unbelievable, awesome and I’m always going to be a Bronco for life,” he said. “We didn’t always play great football, but I cherished my momeries there with Broncos country and the city. My family and I, we call that home right now.”
‘It takes a village’
More than 200 kids from ages 6-17 took part in drills and activities run by Simmons and many of his former collegiate and pro teammates on Saturday morning at JoeBudd Staggs Stadium. Some area coaches also volunteered their time to help. Among them was current South Fork head coach Antwan Blatch, who served as the defensive coordinator during Simmons’ final two years at Martin County High School.
“Justin’s always been a high character guy. Even when he played for me, he walked the walk and he talked to talk,” Blatch said. ”He walks with his faith. And I wouldn’t expect anything less from him because that’s how he was as a player. He led by example and he was a vocal leader when he needed to be. And now for him to be in the position he’s in, being an All-Pro, being an up for the Walter Peyton Award, it doesn’t surprise me at all because he’s always been that type of guy.”
As for Simmons, when discussing his yearly return to Treasure Coast to hold his camp, he described his feelings as “emotional and bittersweet.”
“I tell everyone I loved my college days, I loved my time so far in the NFL, but there’s nothing like playing high school football and basketball with your hometown friends that you grew up with for the longest time,” he remarked. “I keep saying it, but I truly mean it. What a blessing it is to be back here, reminisce and soak it all in.
“I would not be where I am today without this community. There’s parents here that don’t even have kids here and they’re here just to support the fact that we’re throwing on this camp and giving it back to the community because they helped raise me. It takes a village everybody says, and my village has always had my back. And I want to make sure for as long as I can that I’m going to always give back to this village in whatever capacity that looks like.”
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Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Justin Simmons looking to join contender during NFL free agency