Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers could fill their biggest remaining need with one of the best free agents on the open market.
The Pittsburgh Steelers created a hole at safety when they traded Minkah Fitzpatrick as part of their blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins. Luckily, there are still some intriguing options on the open market, one of which has just been linked to the Steelers.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report names Pittsburgh a logical landing spot for free-agent safety Justin Simmons.
“Pittsburgh is hoping to be a contender this year, but Simmons would be a sensible target for the Steelers,” Knox writes. “They traded away standout safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the deal that brought Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh.”
Simmons, 31, has been one of the best ballhawks of the last decade, recording 32 interceptions, 71 passes defensed and one touchdown since being drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.
The two-time Pro Bowler and former NFL interceptions leader was released by the Broncos last offseason before joining the Atlanta Falcons. He is coming off his worst year statistically since 2017 but still proved to have some good football left in him while registering 62 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defensed.
Simmons could be the perfect addition for the Steelers, but he recently revealed they wouldn’t be his first choice.
“I think Atlanta I would still pick 10 out of 10 times if I was in the spot last year,” Simmons said. “But in terms of where I’m at now, being a little bit more picky where we want to go and where we want to call home next . . . the next two years, a year, whatever it is . . . but a contender is No. 1 on the list right now.”
It remains to be seen if the Falcons would be interested in a reunion with Simmons. However, it seems like one would have already happened if both sides wanted it to.
Pittsburgh will likely monitor the situation in the meantime and get a close look at the options the team already has on the roster when training camp opens up this week.
Simmons has 665 tackles, 4.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 32 interceptions, 71 passes defensed and one touchdown in his professional career.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Named Landing Spot for Ballhawk Safety
