The Denver Broncos have a new defensive coordinator in Ejiro Evero this year. Evero coached under Vic Fangio in the past, so the team’s defense should be pretty similar to the scheme that Fangio ran in recent seasons.
In the defense, safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson are responsible for communicating and executing the coverage. The success of the secondary largely depends on the safeties, and Simmons has embraced that responsibility.
“I embrace it,” Simmons said on June 14. “I welcome it, and I challenge myself. That’s what Kareem and I get paid to do. We have to make sure that we find ways to win the down — whatever it looks like. There will be times when it’ll be put on Pat [Surtain] to win a one-on-one on the outside. There will be times when it’ll be put on Kareem and me to make the right checks. When it comes down to it, no excuses.
“We’re the ones being handed the tools and the weapons to be successful, and it’s our job. I’ve talked about it multiple times last year in a similar defense with Vic. Any of the lapses that were happening in the back end — that’s my responsibility as a safety. Anything that’s happening top down, that directly falls on my plate. I don’t take that lightly.”
Simmons totaled 76 tackles, 12 pass breakups and five interceptions last year, giving him 21 career interceptions in six seasons. He has emerged as a key leader in Denver’s defense and he’s excelled in his role as the secondary’s pointman. Fans should expect another big year from Simmons in 2022.
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