First a Pro Bowl appearance and then a brand new contract.
That is the path safety Justin Simmons took in 2020 and now 2021, as the Broncos are reportedly placing the franchise tag on Simmons of the second consecutive offseason, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport added that Simmons and the Broncos will continue discussing a long-term deal as well.
The 27-year-old entered the league as a third-round pick for the Broncos in 2016 and was a solid playmaker during his first two years. However, he took a leap in his third season and posted 97 tackles and three interceptions before following with 93 tackles and four interceptions in 2019.