NY Jets linked to former All-Pro DB with Darren Mougey connection

The New York Jets spent most of free agency adding young players with upside, resulting in no major splashy or surprising moves. The biggest acquisitions were Justin Fields and Brandon Stephens, along with re-signing Jamien Sherwood.

When looking at the Jets' current roster, one position that could see an upgrade before the season is safety. With the Jets gaining $13.5 million in cap space, after the post-June 1 designations of Aaron Rodgers and C.J. Mosley kicked in, the team could look to spend.

SNY's Connor Hughes revealed that safety is a spot where the Jets could look to add, and noted that Julian Blackmon and Justin Simmons are both still available.

Justin Simmons would be a familiar face for general manager Darren Mougey, with whom the two crossed paths while in Denver. The question now remains whether or not the Jets feel Simmons would be enough of an upgrade at this point in his career.

NY Jets could target former All-Pro safety Justin Simmons

After spending eight seasons with the Denver Broncos, Simmons signed a one-year deal with the Falcons before last season. Simmons' time in the Mile High City was successful, as the Boston College product earned second-team All-Pro honors four times and made the Pro Bowl twice.

Simmons, who was an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in 2023, signed with the Falcons with the expectation that he would be a key piece to Atlanta's defense. Unfortunately for Simmons and Atlanta, that was far from the reality.

In 16 games played, Simmons tallied career-worst numbers in multiple statistical categories. The 31-year-old finished with just 62 tackles, his lowest mark since his rookie since in 2016. The veteran safety also graded very poorly in all areas of his game.

Simmons finished 2024 with a career-low 59.9 Pro Football Focus grade. The former All-Pro also finished with an alarming 53.8 run defense grade and a 60.8 coverage grade. The run defense grade was the lowest since his rookie season, and his coverage grade was the lowest since 2018.

Simmons also had 16 missed tackles, the most in a single season during his career, which led to an ugly 19.8% missed tackle rate, the worst mark in his nine seasons.

Despite being just one year removed from an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 2023, Simmons' struggles during 2024 can't get glossed over, especially from a Jets perspective.

New York's strategy this offseason has been to get younger, adding players with upside. Gang Green currently has just five players on its roster of 30 or older, with the Green Bay Packers being the only team in the NFL with fewer, at four players.

While adding a veteran presence to a young safety room could certainly have its benefits, Darren Mougey reuniting with Justin Simmons in Florham Park feels more nostalgic based than actually reality.

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