The Denver Broncos caught some flak when they signed free agent safety Brandon Jones to a 3-year, $20 million free agent contract in March 2024.
Jones was being asked to step in for 3-time NFL All-Pro Justin Simmons, who was cut in a salary cap move, and had spent the first 4 seasons of his career as a part-time starter for the Miami Dolphins, including just 6 starts in 2024.
The addition of Jones was even singled out by ESPN as one of the reasons the Broncos were ranked 31st out of 32 NFL starting lineups before the 2024 season.
“A long-time strength thanks to the presence of since-departed Justin Simmons, safety is now a major concern area for Denver,” ESPN’s Mike Clay wrote in June 2024. “Newcomer Brandon Jones has never played a full season as an every-down player but could be the team’s top option at the position.”
One year later, the Broncos and Jones find themselves in a much different scenario coming off a surprise playoff berth and with one of the NFL’s elite defenses and Jones on the verge of establishing himself as an NFL elite safety — if he hasn’t already.
“Jones not only proved the Broncos right in signing him, but he also exceeded expectations by finishing as one of the five highest-graded safeties overall (84.8) and in coverage (89.8) in 2024,” PFF’s Jonathan Macri wrote on May 14. “He played a career-high 1,042 defensive snaps — almost double his previous career high — and looked more comfortable than he ever has in Vance Joseph’s defense, putting him in the conversation as one of the league’s best heading into 2025.”
