Brandon Beane Wants to Build Incredible Safety Duo with Broncos Star

Buffalo, NY – March 23, 2025

Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane is reportedly chasing a game-changing move, eyeing a deal to sign Denver Broncos star safety Justin Simmons to pair with rising talent Cole Bishop, sources told ESPN late Saturday. The potential signing would supercharge a Bills secondary hit hard by the departures of legends Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, as Beane looks to cement Buffalo’s defense for a Super Bowl push. With Simmons hitting free agency after Denver declined his 2025 option, the Bills see a golden opportunity to land an elite veteran.

Simmons, 31, has been a cornerstone for the Broncos since 2016, amassing 30 interceptions—most among safeties in that span—and 66 pass breakups across 134 games, per NFL.com. His 2024 season, though shortened to 12 games by a knee injury, still showcased his brilliance: 3 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, and a 79.2 passer rating when targeted, per Pro Football Focus. A four-time All-Pro with a knack for game-changing plays—like his 2-pick performance against the Chiefs in 2023—Simmons brings the veteran savvy Bills fans crave. Even at 31, his coverage skills and football IQ make him a top free agent prize, despite the injury hiccup.

For the Bills, Simmons could transform a safety group in transition after Poyer’s exit to Miami and Hyde’s retirement post-2023. Current starters Taylor Rapp and rookie Cole Bishop—drafted 60th overall in 2024—held their own in 2024, with Bishop flashing potential (projected 2 interceptions as a rookie). But pairing him with Simmons, who’s thrived in Denver’s zone-heavy scheme, could create a dynamic duo to rival the Poyer-Hyde era. With just $3.9 million in cap space, Beane might need to rework deals—perhaps Josh Allen’s—to offer Simmons a projected $10 million-per-year deal, a steal for his pedigree. Bills Mafia is hyped on X: “Simmons and Bishop? Beane’s building a monster secondary!” If landed, Simmons could anchor Buffalo’s defense against AFC juggernauts like the Chiefs, while Denver’s loss of their star safety might soften their pass defense, giving Bills fans a rare edge in trade fallout.