Elway: Broncos in 'active negotiations' with S Justin Simmons

[Miles]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos placed the franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons in March, but Elway has been emphatic that the team hopes to work out a long-term deal with the 2019 second-team All-Pro.


It appears the two sides may be getting closer.


Elway said Monday that the Broncos are currently negotiating with Simmons and his agency.


"We've given them an offer, they gave us an offer back and so we're in active negotiations with Justin," Elway said.


The Broncos and Simmons have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal. After that point, Simmons would have to play the season on the franchise tag and the Broncos would not be able to negotiate a new deal with him until after the season.


Simmons, who is entering his fifth season, turned in his best season as a pro in 2019. In Head Coach Vic Fangio's defense, he posted career highs in interceptions (four) and passes defensed (15). Simmons has not missed a defensive snap in two full seasons.


BEST FOOT FORWARD


Bryce Callahan, one of the Broncos' top free-agent acquisitions before last season, didn't play a single snap in 2019.


After largely recovering from a broken foot he suffered in 2018, Callahan reaggravated the injury during training camp and never appeared in a game for Denver. He tried a non-surgical procedure in an attempt to return to the field, but he eventually underwent another surgery to fix a bent screw in his foot.


Elway and the Broncos are hopeful Callahan can return to his previous form, which led them to slot him in as one of their top two cornerbacks.


"We're hopeful that things are coming along and he'll be ready by the time we get to training camp and then work back into things," Elway said. "We're hoping that Bryce can come back and play this year and play the way that we think he's capable of."