Justin Simmons Career Earnings And Net Worth 2026: A Look at the Money Behind Nine NFL Seasons

Justin Simmons officially retired from professional football on April 29, 2026, exactly ten years after the Denver Broncos selected him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Over those nine seasons, the Boston College product walked away from the game having earned $69,758,420 in total career compensation, according to Over the Cap.

For a third-round pick who spent most of his career on a team that never made the playoffs during his tenure, those numbers tell a story worth unpacking.

That is a 142.6 percent return on the base contract value, which is a solid outcome for any rookie trying to establish himself in the league.

What changed everything for Simmons was his play on the field. By the time his rookie deal expired, he had established himself as one of the better safeties in the AFC, and Denver moved quickly to keep him from leaving.

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From Franchise Tags to a Landmark Extension

The Broncos used the franchise tag on Simmons twice before eventually locking him into a long-term deal. In 2020, he played under a one-year franchise tag worth $11,441,000, fully guaranteed.

A year later, in 2021, Denver applied the tag again at $13,729,200, though that contract was superseded when both sides agreed to a four-year, $61 million extension in March 2021.

That extension made Simmons the highest-paid safety in the NFL at the time of signing.

The extension ran through 2024 on paper, but the Broncos released him in March 2024 for cap reasons, clearing $14.5 million in space.

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A post shared by Justin Simmons (@jsimms1119)

He had earned $46,500,000 of the $61,000,000 deal by that point, representing 76.2 percent of the contract’s total value.

Below is a full breakdown of every contract Simmons signed throughout his career:

After his release from Denver, Simmons signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons worth $7,500,000, fully guaranteed.

He started all 16 games that season and recorded two interceptions before going unsigned in 2025.

He confirmed on Wednesday that a handful of teams were on his shortlist for a potential return that year, but the right opportunity never materialized, and he made the decision to retire.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Broncos’ facility in Englewood, Colorado, Simmons reflected openly on what the journey meant to him.

“It was a hard eight years,” Simmons said. “It hurt not to be able to make the playoffs. I was a safety, there’s only so much I can control, but I just felt like there was a lot asked and I feel like I fell short.”

Despite that frustration, the financial picture tells a different story about how the league valued him.

His career average annual value of $7,750,936 across nine seasons is a number most defensive backs never approach, and the $51,686,420 in total guaranteed money he collected places him firmly among the better-compensated safeties of his generation.

How His Earnings Break Down by Team

Spending eight of his nine seasons in Denver means the Broncos account for the overwhelming majority of his career money.

The table below shows how his total earnings are split between the two franchises he played for:

His single largest cash payment came in 2021, the year he signed his extension, when he collected $17,000,000. His largest cap number was $18,850,000 in 2022.

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A post shared by Justin Simmons (@jsimms1119)

The Broncos also incurred $3,750,000 in dead money in 2024 after releasing him, and the Falcons carried $3,166,667 in dead cap against his name in 2025.

On the field, Simmons finished with 666 tackles, 32 career interceptions, 71 passes defended, and five forced fumbles across 134 games.

His 32 interceptions since entering the league in 2016 trail only Kevin Byard among all defenders over that same span.

“I hope the legacy that was left was a guy who actually did care, was passionate, I wanted to do well,” Simmons said Wednesday. “I was just trying to be the best version of myself.”

For a player who entered the league as a third-round pick without a guaranteed starting role, nearly $70 million in career earnings is a testament to what consistent, high-level play can produce over time. Justin Simmons earned every dollar of it.

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FAQs

When was Justin Simmons drafted into the NFL?
He was selected in the third round (98th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Which teams did Justin Simmons play for?
He played for the Denver Broncos (2016–2023) and the Atlanta Falcons (2024).

What position did Justin Simmons play?
He played as a safety, a key defensive position in football.

How many Pro Bowls did Justin Simmons make?
He was selected to the Pro Bowl twice (2020 and 2023).

How many All-Pro selections did he earn?
He was a four-time Second-Team All-Pro (2019, 2021–2023).

How many career interceptions did Justin Simmons have?
He recorded 32 interceptions in his NFL career.

Why did Justin Simmons retire?
He officially retired in April 2026 after signing a one-day contract with the Denver Broncos.

What is Justin Simmons’ height and weight?
He is listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and 215 lb (98 kg).