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Unsigned Veteran Still Angling to Join Eagles Ahead of OTAs

Despite taking a safety in the 2025 NFL Draft, Justin Simmons continues to loom as a possibility for the Philadelphia Eagles.
ByJovan Alford|
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio speaks with the media during a press conference at Hilton New Orleans Riverside.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio speaks with the media during a press conference at Hilton New Orleans Riverside. | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Eagles wrapped up rookie minicamp for their incoming draft class, UDFAs, and invite/tryout players last weekend. The defending Super Bowl champions will now move to the next phase of the offseason, which will be OTAs, which begin later this month.

However, before OTAs start, the Eagles will have time to add any free agents they believe could help them in 2025. As things stand, one free-agent defensive back is still available on the open market and hopes to join Philadelphia in the near future.

On NFL Network, they discussed some of their favorite landing spots for various free agents, and Simmons came up for the Eagles.

Football analyst Brian Baldinger recently said on the NFL Network that veteran safety Justin Simmons wants to come to Philadelphia. Baldinger added, "He wants to be there… Just find him a house in South Jersey. He’s gonna be here" (h/t Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports).

Last month, on the “Up & Adams” Show with Kay Adams, Simmons teased the idea of coming to the Eagles and reuniting with Vic Fangio and Christian Parker, who coached him in Denver.

Since that appearance on “Up & Adams,” the Eagles took a safety in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft in Andrew Mukuba from the University of Texas, who has the skillset to be a starter as a rookie.

However, if the Eagles don’t want to rush Mukuba into the starting lineup, Simmons would be a nice placeholder and veteran who could provide some leadership in the secondary.

The 31-year-old Simmons spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons after the Denver Broncos surprisingly released him. The two-time Pro Bowl defender posted 62 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, two tackles for loss, and two interceptions.

Simmons also possessed a 59.6 completion percentage allowed on targets, an 81.9 pass rating allowed when targeted, and gave up three receiving touchdowns. Before joining the Falcons, he spent the first six years of his career in Denver, where Simmons was named to the Pro Bowl twice and second-team All-Pro three times.

We’ll see if the Eagles ultimately sign the veteran defensive back with OTAs set to begin in a few weeks.

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