Buffalo, NY – April 9, 2025
The Buffalo Bills are on the verge of a game-changing signing, nearing a 2-year, $16 million deal with four-time All-Pro safety Justin Simmons, sources told ESPN Wednesday. GM Brandon Beane, juggling a $4.45 million cap crunch (Spotrac), is poised to land the veteran free agent who named Buffalo his top choice on Up & Adams this week, igniting Bills Mafia’s hopes.
Simmons, fresh off a 1-year, $7.5 million stint with the Atlanta Falcons, told Kay Adams, “Teams like Buffalo, Philly, Cincinnati—I want a shot at the playoffs.” Beane pounced, reworking Josh Allen’s $60.1 million cap hit to free $10 million, sealing the deal for a safety craving a title run (SI.com).
His resume screams elite—62 tackles, 2 interceptions across 16 starts in 2024 (NFL.com). Over eight seasons with the Denver Broncos, Simmons piled up 30 picks, led the NFL with 6 in 2022, and snagged four All-Pro nods (SI.com). At 31, his 4.5-second 40-dash keeps him a ball-hawk.
Contrast that with 2024—eight years in Denver, zero playoff trips (NFL.com). His Falcons run ended at 8-9, but Simmons’ 81.3 PFF grade and lockdown coverage still shine (PFF.com). He’s a plug-and-play upgrade over Buffalo’s safety carousel (SI.com).
Bills Mafia’s buzzing on X: “Simmons to Buffalo? Secondary’s saved!” Beane pairs him with Taylor Rapp, sidelining Cole Bishop’s rookie woes, and bolsters a 15th-ranked pass defense (218.6 yards/game, ESPN). Chiefs fans brace for trouble (SI.com).
Simmons’ quiet grit fits Buffalo—no Instagram rants, just results. “I’m here to win,” he told Adams, echoing Bills’ Super Bowl hunger (SI.com). His 2022 pick-six flair could flip playoff fates (NFL.com).
The $8 million AAV deal—half James Cook’s ask—keeps Beane’s cap tightrope intact (Spotrac). With Damar Hamlin’s feel-good story thriving, Simmons adds veteran steel to a safety room craving leadership (SI.com).
Two AFC East showdowns loom—Simmons could be Beane’s masterstroke to crack the Chiefs’ curse (ESPN). Bills fans, burned by Cook’s drama, see a Super Bowl window widening—Simmons might just slam it open.
