The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been one of the most aggressive teams in free agency over the past few seasons, consistently making moves to bolster their roster for playoff contention. With the 2024 season approaching, the Bucs could still use reinforcements in the secondary, particularly at safety. One name that continues to surface as an ideal fit is veteran safety Justin Simmons, who remains unsigned after his release from the Denver Broncos.
Simmons, a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the most consistent safeties in the NFL, would be a perfect addition to Todd Bowles’ defense. The Buccaneers have a strong defensive foundation but could use a versatile playmaker like Simmons to solidify the back end. Here’s why Tampa Bay should make a push for the veteran safety.
Why Justin Simmons Makes Sense for the Buccaneers
1. Experience in a Versatile Role
Todd Bowles’ defense relies heavily on safeties who can wear multiple hats—playing deep coverage, stepping into the box, and even blitzing when needed. Simmons has excelled in this type of role throughout his career.
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Ball Hawk Ability: Simmons has 30 career interceptions and 64 passes defended, showcasing his elite coverage skills.
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Tackling & Run Support: He has recorded over 600 tackles in his career, proving he can be a reliable last line of defense.
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Blitzing Capability: While not known primarily as a pass rusher, Simmons has 4.5 career sacks and can be used creatively in Bowles’ aggressive scheme.
Pairing Simmons with Antoine Winfield Jr. would give Tampa Bay one of the best safety tandems in the league.
2. Leadership & Championship Pedigree
The Buccaneers have emphasized leadership in their locker room, especially after the retirement of veterans like Tom Brady and Lavonte David’s uncertain future. Simmons, a longtime team captain in Denver, would bring:
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Veteran Presence: His experience in big games (including multiple playoff appearances) would help mentor younger players.
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High Football IQ: Simmons is known for his film study and ability to diagnose plays quickly—something Bowles values in his defensive backs.
With Tampa Bay aiming to remain competitive in the NFC South, adding a proven leader like Simmons could be the difference in close games.
3. Affordable Short-Term Deal
At 30 years old, Simmons is still playing at a high level, but he may not command a long-term contract. The Buccaneers have limited cap space but could structure a team-friendly, incentive-laden deal (similar to how they signed Baker Mayfield last season).
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Projected Contract: A 1- or 2-year deal worth $8-10 million per year (with voidable years to spread cap hits).
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Low Risk, High Reward: If Simmons performs well, he could help Tampa Bay make a deep playoff run. If not, the team isn’t locked into a lengthy commitment.
Given the Bucs’ need for secondary help and Simmons’ availability, this signing makes too much sense to ignore.
How Simmons Fits in Tampa Bay’s Defense
Bowles’ defense is known for its complex blitz packages and disguised coverages. Here’s how Simmons could be utilized:
A. Single-High Safety
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Simmons has the range to play center field, allowing Winfield Jr. to roam closer to the line of scrimmage as a hybrid nickel/dime defender.
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This would mirror the roles of Jordan Whitehead and Winfield during the Bucs’ 2020 Super Bowl run.
B. Big Nickel Packages
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With teams increasingly using 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE), the Bucs could deploy Simmons as a third safety in sub-packages, improving run support while maintaining coverage flexibility.
C. Turnover Creation
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Tampa Bay struggled with takeaways last season (ranked 25th in interceptions). Simmons’ ball skills would immediately boost this area.
Potential Roadblocks
While the fit is ideal, there are a few hurdles:
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Competition from Other Teams – Contenders like the 49ers, Bills, or Ravens could also pursue Simmons.
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Cap Space – The Bucs have roughly $10-12M in cap space, meaning they’d need to restructure contracts or backload a deal.
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Youth Movement – Tampa Bay may prefer developing Kaevon Merriweather or a draft pick instead of adding another veteran.
However, if the Bucs are serious about making another playoff push, Simmons is the type of win-now signing that could put them over the top.
Final Verdict: Bucs Should Make the Move
Justin Simmons is one of the best available free agents left on the market, and the Buccaneers are an ideal landing spot. His versatility, leadership, and playmaking ability would instantly upgrade Tampa Bay’s defense, giving them a legitimate chance to reclaim the NFC South.
General Manager Jason Licht has a history of making savvy veteran signings (see: Shaq Barrett, Ndamukong Suh, and Logan Ryan). Adding Simmons could be the next low-cost, high-impact move that keeps the Bucs in contention.
Prediction: If Tampa Bay can free up ~$8M in cap space, expect them to make a strong push for Simmons before training camp.