The NY Jets have one of the best defenses in the league, as it's tough to find an area that can be classed as a genuine weakness. The only area where New York is still a bit of a work in progress would be at safety, as injuries and offseason departures leave the Jets uninspiring in that area.
The two projected starters at the position are Chuck Clark, who is coming off an ACL injury, and the winner of a competition between volatile youngster Tony Adams and the returning Ashtyn Davis. The Jets waiting until literally the last possible moment to address safety in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Alabama's Jaylen Key with the final pick.
Not only is former Denver Broncos star Justin Simmons the best safety who remains unsigned, but he could be the free agent still on the market. If he tones his asking price down and is willing to accept a shorter deal in the name of competing for a championship, the Jets could make something happen.
Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports joined in the cacophony of voices suggesting the Jets take a look at Simmons. Even though he remains unsigned, Simmons is an elite performer in a position of need, and that should entice Joe Douglas.
Justin Simmons INT! The @Broncos defense has back-to-back takeaways.
— NFL (@NFL) November 14, 2023
📺: #DENvsBUF on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/J3bHxYOoK2 pic.twitter.com/DVJEeLJAYI
Simmons, who has picked off Patrick Mahomes five times when no other player has done so more than twice, has the most interceptions in the league (30) since he came into the league in 2016. Simmons has been named a second-team All-Pro player in four of the last five seasons.
Simmons could be a perfect stylistic fit in a Jets defense that places a premium on rangy safeties who can cover a ton of ground. Anyone who has watched even a cursory amount of Broncos film can see Simmons will knock the stuffing out of ball-carriers in the run game.
The Jets can put an end to the Adams-Davis debate and bring in a no-doubt starter like Simmons. With the championship window only open for a few seasons thanks to Aaron Rodgers' age and new injury history, passing on a player like Simmons and watching him join another contender could have dire consequences.
The Jets have just enough financial flexibility to make something work with Simmons. However, he may need to knock his market value down a peg and be intrigued by the challenge of competing for a championship.
