After losing safety Tyrann Mathieu to retirement, the New Orleans Saints could target top free agent Justin Simmons as a reliable replacement. According to the breaking news, the Saints are going to move on without their once-star secondary piece, but it hasn’t been the same for him since last season. Mathieu finishes his 12-year veteran stint in the league after recording 838 tackles, 100 pass deflections and 36 interceptions. With that, the Saints should be on the hunt for a replacement, but Simmons could be the perfect fit in this unit, even though the team is far from being a winning roster.
Originally selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the former Boston College product is coming off his one-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons after spending his entire career with the Denver Broncos. Simmons put up some promising numbers, including 36 solo tackles, seven pass deflections, and two interceptions. Still, he is reportedly being “selective” in choosing where he wants to sign his next roster. This means the likelihood of him signing with the Saints is slim, so it’s hard to imagine him coming to terms with them unless there is desperation.
However, here are four other championship rosters that could be more sensible for Simmons if the Saints can’t pull off a one-year contract.
Breaking: Saints Could Target Top Free Agent Justin Simmons After Tyrann Mathieu Retirement
Best Fits
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers aren’t far from a Super Bowl after making it to at least the wild-card this year. Despite losing Kristian Fulton to their rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, they were able to strengthen their secondary by signing Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste. Even though Alohi Gilman and Derwin James Jr. are solid contributors at safety, neither of these players haven’t been able to stay healthy. Perhaps, they could add someone like Simmons to give them the upper hand for a Super Bowl run when you share an AFC between the Ravens, Chiefs and Bills.
Baltimore Ravens
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens lost Ar’Darius Washington this offseason to a gruesome injury, but even though he might return this 2025 campaign, it’s better to invest in a temporary veteran free agent. They did this by signing Jaire Alexander to a contract to salvage the secondary unit alongside 2024 draft pick Nate Wiggins and veteran Marlon Humphrey. Why not take the same route for the safety unit?
The Ravens have always been close to a Super Bowl themselves for the past four seasons behind MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. It’s time to maximize this opportunity and get Simmons to join this bolstering old-school roster to help Malaki Starks and Kyle Hamilton.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles might have won the Super Bowl, but like the Chiefs a few years ago, they might try to make a run to go back-to-back. Despite releasing Darius Slay, the team still has a strong secondary group between Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell. Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown and Andrew Mukuba are solid to hold down the safety department, but why not add a veteran like Simmons to give them the greatest chance to run it back?
Dallas Cowboys
It’s been an awkward offseason for the Dallas Cowboys after Jerry Jones gave criticism to Micah Parsons and cornerback Trevon Diggs. Despite that, they need an enormous upgrade in the safety unit, and Donovan Wilson could be on the hot seat since he’s been in several rumors. Malik Hooker might be safe, but he could benefit from a ballhawk like Simmons to give the Cowboys a promising secondary unit despite the woes in the cornerback position.
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