Despite growing concerns in the secondary, the Indianapolis Colts have decided against signing one of the biggest names on the market.
Two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons has been on the market since March, but the Colts will live and die by their young safety room.
After Simmons agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons worth $7.5 million plus $500,000 in bonuses, it turned out that the Colts never made an offer, according to Nate Atkins of the Indianapolis Star.
Given their strong salary cap position, the Colts could have easily made this deal happen. It would have helped them address their biggest need – one that continues to be a concern heading into the season.
Third-year safeties Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II are battling for the starting free safety position, but neither has been able to really pull away in the competition. However, most reports suggest that Cross will win the battle at this point.
Signing Simmons would alleviate those concerns. Sure, it would take a break, but Simmons has been one of the most productive free safeties in the NFL over the past few seasons.
The Colts defense’s reliance on unproven players so heavily could be why they aren’t one of the league’s best units. They’ve already lost top edge rusher Samson Ebukam to a torn Achilles tendon, which could impact the secondary if the pass rush isn’t as consistent.
The Colts could have made this deal, and unless one of their young safeties makes a surprise breakout, they’ll likely regret doing it.
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