Fangio Familiarity

In a free agency period where the Philadelphia Eagles need to rebuild their safety room, yet another All-Pro will be entering the market.

The Denver Broncos are releasing Justin Simmons, per NFL Network.

Sources: The #Broncos are releasing All-Pro and Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons in a move to clear salary cap space. Simmons becomes one of the top free agents immediately.

He was to count $18.25M against the cap. Now, free. pic.twitter.com/gMois9ejId

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2024

Among all free agent safeties, Simmons jumps out as a name the revamped Eagles coaching staff is very familiar with. 

Simmons’ emergence came under the watch of new Philadelphia Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio, at the time Denver’s head coach. 

Since 2019, he has made four All-Pro teams and has tallied 51 pass breakups, turning 23 of those into interceptions.

New Eagles’ Defensive Backs Coach Christian Parker has also had an extensive hand in his play, serving in the same role for Simmons in Denver from 2021-23.

Between Simmons, fellow former Fangio star Eddie Jackson, and Kevin Byard – all 30-years-old – the Eagles will have plenty of familiarity to work with if they choose to go with the savvy veteran route to help revamp the backend of their defense.

Fins Snag Tight End

The Miami Dolphins are adding to their bare tight end room ahead of free agency.

Free agent Jonnu Smith is reportedly signing a two-year deal, per NFL Network.

The #Dolphins and FA TE Jonnu Smith have a 2-year, $10M deal, per source. The former #Falcons TE lands in Miami.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2024

Smith was released by the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the offseason and was free to sign with a team immediately.

It will be a homecoming for Smith, who played in college at Florida International University.

This marks the fourth team for the 28-year-old after stints with the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, and the Falcons, where in his lone season in ‘23 he set a new career high with 582 yards.

Smith has always had modest production as a team’s number two tight end, but between being playing with Delaine Walker, Hunter Henry, and Kyle Pitts, he has very little experience of being the go to guy at the position.

During Mike McDaniels’ time as head coach with the Dolphins, his tight ends have yet to produce. In 2022, Mike Gesicki tallied only 362 yards, the lowest in his career since his rookie season at the time, while Durham Smith caught 35 balls for 382 yards and zero touchdowns as the top TE in ‘23.

Wilson Landing Spot?

Russell Wilson will soon be meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Steelers are interested in signing Russell Wilson and are tentatively planning to meet with the former Broncos QB before start of free agency, per sources. Wilson has interest in joining Steelers. Story in PG forthcoming.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 7, 2024

 

Now a free agent following his release from the Denver Broncos, the 35-year-old will look to revitalize his career after two down seasons.  The Steelers have publicly shown support for 2022 first round pick Kenny Pickett to be their long-term answer, but adding a player of Wilson’s caliber would at the very least open up a competition.

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.