The free-agent market still includes a big name in Justin Simmons. The veteran safety joined the Falcons last year after being surprisingly released by the Denver Broncos. However, his time in Atlanta didn’t go as expected.

Simmons struggled to re-establish himself as a top-tier defensive force. Now, he’s a free agent once again, hoping to prove he still has what it takes to anchor a secondary.

Justin Simmons reveals what he wants in his next NFL team

During his time with the Broncos, Simmons was widely considered one of the most feared safeties in the league. His presence helped elevate Denver’s defense to elite status, and many believed he was destined for a long-term extension.

However, things took an unexpected turn. Last offseason, Denver released him in a move that shocked many around the NFL. Some reports hinted that locker room concerns may have played a role in the decision.

Simmons later signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Falcons. Despite initial expectations that several teams would pursue him, interest around the league was reportedly lukewarm.

Statistically, Simmons had one of his least productive seasons. While he played 91.4% of defensive snaps, he recorded just 36 solo tackles, 62 total tackles, and two interceptions—his lowest numbers since his rookie year in 2016.

After a disappointing campaign, Atlanta opted not to re-sign him. Now on the open market once again, Simmons has stated the one key factor he’s looking for in his next destination—something the Falcons, he subtly hinted, didn’t offer: a winning culture.

“In terms of where I’m at now, being a little bit more picky where we want to go and where we want to call home next,” Simmons said, via The Denver Post. “The next two years, a year, whatever it is . . . but a contender is No. 1 on the list right now.”

During an appearance on Up & Adams, the former Denver Broncos safety shared his first impressions of the training sessions alongside the QB, who has a strong chance of becoming the starter for Raheem Morris’ team starting Week 1.

“Training camp. It was my third day of practice, literally third day being there,” Simmons said. “He was running the second-team reps and going up against the second-team defense, and he had this no-look throw down the sideline right into — it was the craziest throw I think I’ve ever seen in person. I was like, ‘oh, whatever it is, he has it.’ So, I’m excited to see what he does.”

Kirk Cousins‘ imminent departure to another franchise opens the door for the former Washington Huskies player to take charge of a Falcons team that aims to be a contender for what’s ahead.

Simmons’ future in the NFL

Simmons‘ presence for the upcoming season wearing a Falcons uniform remains uncertain, and finding a resolution regarding his future as soon as possible is something the player himself made clear to the media.

“That’s always the goal,” the safety said on Up & Adams in regards to finding a fit earlier than in 2024. “I think, yes, there’s pros and cons to training camp. Cons is going through it, your body breaking down, the whole nine, especially as you get older. But a lot of the pros is building that rapport, especially when you’re not with the team and you haven’t necessarily played with a lot of those guys. I think it would have benefited me to go a little bit earlier. But it also just wasn’t in the cards. … We’ll see. We’ll see. I want to go to the best situation, and I want to go a team that’s gonna win. So, we’ll see what that looks like.”

The firing of Jimmy Lake as defensive coordinator clearly signals a time of change within the franchise, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. On this, the former Broncos player reflected on what might lie ahead for his role on the team in the near future.

“At the end of the day, I think highly of Ra (coach Raheem Morris) and (general manager) Terry (Fontenot) and (owner) Arthur (Blank), and I think the organization is top notch,” Simmons said. “I do think they’re gonna be great. … It was a one-year thing. They like their younger guys, too. Sometimes, things don’t work out and you go in different directions. I don’t know if the door’s necessarily closed, but we’ll see.”

The decision to release the two-time Pro Bowler after eight seasons was probably a byproduct of the Russell Wilson situation. They must get under the salary cap, and they’re absorbing a lot of dead money with his release.

This move saves them almost $15 million in cap space. Needless to say, it shouldn’t take long before the former third-round pick finds himself a new home. With that in mind, we’ll take a look at three potential destinations for him.

NFL Rumors: 3 Potential Landing Spots For Justin Simmons

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins aren’t in the best situation, salary-cap-wise, so this could be tricky and tough to pull off. However, they desperately need some help in the secondary defense, and lining him up next to Jalen Ramsey could be great.

They have a new defensive coordinator, and it’s more than evident that they don’t need much help on the other side of the field, but the defense continues to be an issue for Mike McDaniel’s team.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions took a massive leap forward last season, but their secondary defense was far from elite. They have enough cash to spare, and a top-tier defender like Simmons could be a home run signing for them.

The Lions could allow CJ Gardner-Johnson to test out free agency, as they managed to get by without him in his lone season there because of a torn pectoral.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles could be the most logical destination for him right now. Not only are they one of the strongest powerhouses in the NFC, but he also has some big ties to some coaching staff members.

He used to thrive under Vic Fangio, who’s their new defensive coordinator, and he also knows their new pass game coordinator/DBs coach Christian Parker from their days in Denver.