Broncos should strongly consider a Justin Simmons reunion in wake of Brandon Jones injury

The Denver Broncos took a significant loss in the injury department following their huge win over the Green Bay Packers when safety Brandon Jones was placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury. It remains to be seen if he will need season-ending surgery, but that is a distinct possibility. Either way, the team is going to have to go without him for a minimum of its next four games. 

Looking at the next man up, the Broncos have veteran P.J. Locke, who came on in relief for Jones on Sunday. Beyond Locke, the Broncos have Devon Key and JL Skinner and on the practice squad, they have Delarrin Turner-Yell. 

Many may look at that and feel that the Broncos have good depth at the position, but a former Broncos player who is among the best safeties in team history and a huge fan favorite is out there, and that is Justin Simmons. 

Broncos Country seems divided on the idea of bringing Simmons back into the mix, as he and Sean Payton seemed to have some issues with one another. But this Broncos squad is on the cusp of making a Super Bowl run, and no box should be left unchecked. 

Fans seem to have two arguments. One is that if Simmons were so good, he would be on a roster already. That is not necessarily true. Simmons likely doesn't want to sign just anywhere and almost certainly wants to play for a contender in the final stages of his career. 

Others may say that Locke is a better option right now, and to that, I vehemently disagree. Locke is a passable safety, but he did not play well at all last season, and that is why the Broncos made Talanoa Hufanga one of their priority free-agent signings. 

Simmons was fantastic across eight seasons in Denver and though there is likely a large gap between him and some of the best safeties in team history, such as Steve Atwater, Dennis Smith, Billy Thompson and Goose Gonsoulin, Simmons absolutely has a place on that list. 

He made the Pro Bowl twice and was a Second-team All-Pro four times. He has over 600 career tackles and 32 interceptions. He just turned 32 years old. 

Simmons still has something to offer an NFL team and it wouldn't hurt anything to sign him at this stage of the season, so long as he was interested. Even if the team chose to keep him behind the likes of Skinner and Key on the depth chart and have him work his way into a more significant role, that should be discussed. 

READ: Sean Payton's latest roster move may bring Broncos keen insight for big game vs. Jaguars

Simmons should finish his career in Denver. It was somewhat shocking when the team released him, even if it did save some money against the salary cap. The time is now to make this move and bring in a player who could make a significant impact in terms of the team winning the Super Bowl this year. 

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