The Pittsburgh Steelers signed safety DeShon Elliott to a two-year, $6 million deal this offseason, but former Steelers outside linebacker Arthur Moats thinks Pittsburgh should kick the tires on former Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons.
“We didn’t pay DeShon Elliott anything where you feel like you can’t bring a guy in,” Moats said on his podcast. “And it’s Justin Simmons. Justin Simmons is in that conversation with Minkah Fitzpatrick and company, man. Top safeties in the league type convos, man.
Moats’ co-host Deke thinks Simmons’ price range is in the one-year, $8-11 million range. He has reservations that it would happen but finds it to be an intriguing proposition.
“That would be another big ticket piece on defense, though. Couldn’t we just say just throw $10 (million) to the second safety?” Moats said.
Fitzpatrick struggled at times last season without having a trustworthy player at the strong safety position. Fitzpatrick had a solid rapport with Terrell Edmunds for several seasons before Edmunds left in free agency last year.
The Broncos released Simmons on March 7 in a cap-saving move, thanks to the Russell Wilson debacle. At 30 years old, Simmons still has probably 3-4 more good years left in him. He’s also not far removed from recording five to six interceptions in a season.