Why Justin Simmons Should Be in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame One Day

When Justin Simmons announced his retirement as a member of the Denver Broncos on Wednesday – exactly one decade after Denver selected him with the final pick in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft – it marked the close of one of the most steady and impactful careers in recent franchise history.

The Broncos’ Ring of Fame isn’t just for Super Bowl champions or Hall of Fame locks. It’s for players who defined their era of Broncos football – players whose impact held weight regardless of the team’s record.

Simmons fits that description better than most realize.

A Standard of Consistency

Simmons didn’t build his case on one or two standout seasons. He built it on consistency.

Over eight years in Denver, he recorded 30 interceptions – seventh-most in franchise history. From 2018 to 2023, he logged at least three interceptions every season, making him the only player in the NFL to accomplish that over that span.

That kind of sustained production at safety is rare – especially on a team that struggled to find stability around him.

In 2022, Simmons tied for the NFL lead in interceptions. Across his career, he earned four Second-Team All-Pro selections and two Pro Bowl nods – consistent recognition that he wasn’t just productive, but among the best at his position.

Defining Moments in a Broncos Uniform

While consistency defined Simmons’ career, his impact wasn’t limited to steady production – he delivered in pivotal moments.

He recorded game-winning interceptions against the Las Vegas Raiders (2017), Miami Dolphins (2020), and Washington Commanders (2021), repeatedly stepping up when the outcome hung in the balance.

One of his most meaningful plays came late in the 2021 campaign. Against the Detroit Lions in Week 14, Simmons intercepted a pass that served as the exclamation point on a dominant victory for Denver – just three days after the passing of Demaryius Thomas. In a game filled with emotion, Simmons delivered a moment that resonated far beyond the box score.

More Than Just Production

If the case stopped at stats and highlight plays, Simmons would still have an argument. But it doesn’t.

He was a three-time team captain during one of the most unstable stretches in franchise history. Coaching changes. Quarterback turnover. Seasons that unraveled early.

Through all of it, Simmons was the constant.

He became the first recipient of the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP award following the 2021 season – a reflection of how the organization viewed his leadership and presence. His three Walter Payton Man of the Year nominations reinforce that impact went well beyond the field.

When the Broncos lacked direction, Simmons gave them credibility.

The Case Against Simmons

There’s one clear counterargument: Simmons never played in a postseason game with Denver.

That’s not insignificant – but it’s also not the full story.

Football is the ultimate team sport, and Simmons’ tenure overlapped with some of the most inconsistent offensive and coaching stretches in franchise history. Judging his legacy solely on team success ignores the context he operated within.

If anything, it highlights his value.

He wasn’t a complementary piece on a great team. He was a foundational player on teams searching for answers – and still produced at a high level year after year.

The Role Simmons Played in Broncos History

Every era has its defining players.

Championship teams are easy to remember. Transitional eras are not.

But they still have players who matter – players who carry the standard when the rest of the roster fluctuates.

Simmons was that player for Denver from 2016 through 2023.

He was the one fans could rely on. The one making game-changing plays. The one leading, even when the results didn’t follow.

That counts for something.

Final Thought

The Ring of Fame isn’t only about celebrating the peaks of franchise history – it’s about honoring the players who upheld the standard through every phase of it.

Justin Simmons did that for nearly a decade.

He may not have been part of a playoff run, but he was the reason there was still something worth watching on Sundays.

That should be enough to earn him a place in Denver’s Ring of Fame one day.