Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons becomes first NFL player to get franchise tag in 2021
The Denver Broncos are playing tag once again.
For the second straight year, the team is franchising star free safety Justin Simmons, who made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2020.
Simmons, 27, has 12 interceptions and nearly 300 tackles over the past three seasons – a stretch when he has not missed a single game.
He stands to make $13.7 million if he plays on the tag in 2021 but has until July 15 to sign a long-term extension.
“Designating Justin with the franchise tag is a procedural move that allows us to continue working on a long-term deal,” new Broncos general manager George Paton said in a statement Friday.
“We are completely focused on making sure Justin remains a big part of the Denver Broncos for many years to come.”
A third-round pick out of Boston College in 2016, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the league’s eighth-best safety in 2020 – a dip after he came in second overall in 2019.
“Justin is one of our core guys,” Paton said Thursday.
“Our goal since I got here is to sign him to a long-term deal.”
Simmons becomes the first player tagged in 2021. NFL teams have until Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET to use the franchise or transition tag to secure one of their pending free agents.
