Broncos Insider Provides Surprising Eagles-Justin Simmons Update

When the Eagles traded Haason Reddick to the New York Jets it caused some mixed emotions. Reddick became a star in Philadelphia, but he had a down year in 2023 and there was rumbling that he wanted out of Philly.

The trade also freed up a ton of cap space for Howie Roseman to continue retooling the roster that underperformed so badly last season.

That has Eagles fans thinking about some top free agents, especially at positions of need. Most fans' priority list starts with former Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons, who would completely transform the secondary. And the move seems to make a lot of sense, as it would reunite him with his former coach in Vic Fangio.

Unfortunately Broncos inside Benjamin Allbright, who tends to be very well tuned in to behind-the-scenes Broncos buzz, has dumped some cold water on the connection.

Allbright doesn't spill any juicy details, but that almost feels like it lends more credence to this thought. The matter-of-fact delivery of "I don't think he or Fangio want to reunite" seems pretty damning.

It's easy for fans to just automatically assume players want to play with former coaches — especially when they played well under that coach. But there's just so much that goes on behind the scenes that we don't know about. After all, would you automatically prioritize going back and working with all of your former bosses?

And the fact that Allbright thinks this disinterest is mutual is a particularly bad sign.

I'm not saying this means the signing is 100% off the table, but we shouldn't hold our breath over it any longer. The good news is that safety is one of the deepest remaining positions in free agency. Names available for the Eagles to sign include Julian Blackmon, Tashaun Gipson, Micah Hyde and Jayron Kearse.

Kyle Dugger is also reportedly looking to get out of New England, and Roseman is no stranger to making splashy trades, so that would be another great option.

Top safety prospects in the draft include Javon Bullard (a Georgia Bulldog — making him a natural fit in Philly), Jaden Hicks and Kamren Kinchens.

One way or the other, the Eagles can't go into the 2024 season relying on Sydney Brown as the Plan A at safety alongside Reed Blankenship. Fans have high hopes for Brown, and he's an exciting prospect, but he's done nothing to show he should be a Week 1 starter so far.

If the Eagles want to capitalize on the Dallas Cowboys' poor offseason and take over as the favorites in the NFC East, they'll need to make a move.

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