The Denver Broncos may have picked up a big win over the Green Bay Packers, but they suffered a tough blow in the process. Starting safety Brandon Jones has been placed on injured reserve with a pectoral injury, and while it’s not yet confirmed whether he’ll need season-ending surgery, the team will be without him for at least the next four games. That’s a significant absence in a secondary that’s already leaned heavily on his versatility and physicality.
Now, the Broncos are turning to veteran P.J. Locke to step into Jones’ role.
Locke came in as the immediate replacement on Sunday, and he’ll likely be the starter moving forward-at least for now. Behind him, Denver has Devon Key and JL Skinner on the active roster, with Delarrin Turner-Yell available on the practice squad.
On paper, that’s depth. But depth doesn’t always mean readiness, especially when you’re in the thick of a playoff push.
That’s where the conversation around a familiar name starts to heat up: Justin Simmons.
Simmons, one of the most respected players in recent Broncos history, is still a free agent. After eight standout seasons in Denver, his release earlier this year caught many by surprise.
He’s a two-time Pro Bowler, a four-time Second-team All-Pro, and has 32 career interceptions to go with over 600 tackles. He just turned 32, and while he’s not the same player he was in his prime, there’s little doubt he can still help a team-especially one with championship aspirations.
The question is whether Denver should bring him back.
Some within Broncos Country are split on the idea. There’s been talk of potential tension between Simmons and head coach Sean Payton, and others believe the team’s cultural reset this offseason-one that included moving on from several veteran leaders-was necessary for the locker room.
That’s a fair point. But this team is knocking on the door of a deep playoff run, and sometimes, you have to make calculated exceptions to push through that door.
There’s also the argument that if Simmons were still playing at a high level, he’d already be on a roster. But that overlooks a key factor: Simmons likely isn’t looking to sign just anywhere. At this stage in his career, he probably wants to join a contender-and there aren’t many better fits than the team where he built his legacy.
As for Locke, he’s a solid player who’s had some bright moments. But last season wasn’t his best, and it’s worth noting that the Broncos prioritized signing Talanoa Hufanga in free agency, signaling they were looking for upgrades at safety. Locke can hold down the position, but Simmons brings a different level of experience, ball-hawking ability, and leadership-qualities that matter even more in December and January.
This isn’t about undermining the current roster. It’s about adding a piece that could elevate the defense at a critical time. Even if Simmons didn’t start right away, having him in the room-rotating in, mentoring younger players, and preparing for a larger role-could be a game-changer.
And let’s not forget what Simmons means to the franchise. He’s not Steve Atwater or Dennis Smith, but he belongs in the conversation with the greats.
His football IQ, range, and consistency made him one of the league’s most underrated safeties for years. If there’s a way to bring him back into the fold without disrupting the current chemistry, it’s worth exploring.
The Broncos are in a rare position: a team that’s found its stride late in the season and could be a legitimate threat in the postseason. Moves made now could define how far they go. Bringing back Simmons isn’t just a sentimental idea-it could be a smart football decision.
With Jones sidelined, the Broncos have a hole to fill. They can fill it from within, or they can bring back a player who knows the system, knows the city, and knows what it takes to win. If Simmons is interested, the door should be open.