If Saints close the deal with Justin Simmons, they’ll have the best secondary in NFL

Tuesday evening, Nick Underhill, and several others, reported veteran safety Justin Simmons would be visiting with the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday. It’s safe to say this is a development no one saw coming, so it was only fitting the news dropped near midnight.

Simmons, a Four-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowl safety is arguably the best remaining free agent. Considering that he’d be a great addition for any team, everyone was curious to see what teams would have interest and where he’d actually land.

Not many people had the Saints on a their list. A big reason why is New Orleans secondary is already elite. However, the team clearly has plans to make the group even better.

Saints are hosting free agent safety Justin Simmons for a visit

In the secondary, New Orleans already has Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, and Kool-Aid McKinstry at corner. Those corners, alone, make this a great secondary. But, the Saints also have the legend Tyrann Mathieu and a promising young Jordan Howden at safety. All things considered, the defensive backfield is definitely the team’s strength entering the season.

Adding Simmons to this group would only make them even stronger. At just 30 years old, the veteran safety is coming off his eighth season, all spent with the Denver Broncos. In 2023, Simmons played in 15 games, recording 70 tackles, two for a loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, eight pass deflections, and three interceptions. Those numbers made Simmons a Pro Bowler and All-Pro.

Despite having yet another elite season, Denver cut Simmons to save money and start a new era. The move made one of the best defenders in the league available, and he lingered in free agency all offseason. Now he’s visiting a New Orleans team he has some familiarity with.

Saints defensive coordinator Joe Woods was the defensive backs coach in Denver when Simmons was drafted, and New Orleans defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson spent a couple of seasons as the DB coach for the Broncos. Those connections could be the reason Simmons is in New Orleans for a visit.

Whatever the reason, Saints fans are excited, and they would love for the team to sign Simmons, creating the best secondary in the league.

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