Broncos helmet Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Every team across the entire NFL has to navigate the league’s salary cap, which means they can’t always keep every player they want on the roster. And unfortunately for the Broncos, that meant parting ways with one of their veteran leaders on te defensive side of the ball this week.

According to a report from league insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Denver Broncos have decided to release former All-Pro and Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons in an attempt to create space on the salary cap.

“Sources: The #Broncos are releasing All-Pro and Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons in a move to clear salary cap space. Simmons becomes one of the top free agents immediately. He was to count $18.25M against the cap. Now, free,” Rapoport said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.

Simmons third-round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2016 draft. He was named to the Pro Bowl twice in his eight seasons in the league and led the league with six interceptions in 2022 despite only playing in 12 games.

This is obviously a major loss for the Broncos this offseason. We’ll have to see how they replace him.

[Ian Rapoport]