4th and South - Justin Simmons on Sean Payton-Russell Wilson Broncos DRAMA, Talib chain pull, Demaryius Thomas

We got my brother in the building, and yeah, I did drop two hundred plus on y’all once, so it’s all love; congrats on a great run, man—how’s retirement treating you?

Retirement’s been a gift; I’m finally catching my daughter’s games and recitals, sneaking in golf, and soaking up time I could never get back during the grind.

The kids hooping or strapping on pads yet, or are they already living the good life?

I’m hoping for late bloomers, because right now it’s looking like they won’t need to fight for a roster spot the way I did.

You made your name in orange and blue—what was Denver really like?

Denver’s one of one; the crowd shakes that place, altitude sneaks up on you, and even though we missed the playoffs during my stretch, the city and the energy were special.

I felt that mile high, bro; broke a long one there and still had to hit the oxygen after.

I used to train in Colorado, so the lungs were ready—came up and put it on y’all once without feeling the air at all.

I remember Cleveland coming in when our corners kept dropping and I got thrown out to play corner on Juice; he looked at Baker like, throw it, and I’m thinking, go on then.

Odell went off that day and I scored on a basic concept, but the win was the point; what’s the memory you keep closest?

Honoring DT against the Lions—diving pick right on an 88 painted on the turf, put the ball down there and told him we got him; it felt bigger than football.

I never got to be his teammate—how did DT move the room like that?

He poured into everyone even when they drafted his replacement, taught routes, protections, what each quarterback wanted, and checked on you as a human first; he’d host film and feed the whole room.

A giant on the field and a better man off it—hurts that he’s gone.

You held it down through a carousel of quarterbacks; how tough did that get?

I played with something like fifteen starters, and I felt for guys like Courtland trying to sync with a new QB every year; we kept the bar high on defense—ten points and takeaways—or it was on us, even in ugly losses like that 10 to 7 game.

Did it ever boil over with the staff?

We had a heated sit-down with Coach Fangio when pressure calls drifted from our two-high DNA; I apologized later, but losing eats at culture and pulls people in different directions.

From the outside it felt like Russ played well—why did it end like it did with Sean?

Two alpha mindsets clashed—Sean runs it his way and Russ is a decorated vet who wants freedom at the line; respect and control never aligned, and Denver moved on fast.

As captain, did you pull Russ aside, or was it bigger than a heart-to-heart?

Under Hackett we called a players-only meeting to get brutally honest about fixes on both sides, then took it to coaches together.

Fans miss how one guy in the wrong gap ruins a whole run fit, how losing wears on you, and how contracts get judged when the team’s sliding.

Real leadership is taking blame at the mic and holding names accountable behind closed doors; if you never get emotional while losing, you’re just collecting checks.

I’ve also stepped in to shield young guys; after an OT loss to the Chargers, I told Chubb I’d take it to the team so he did not get labeled the wrong way.

That’s real—most only lead when the sun’s out, not when it’s ugly.

And some never came from winning cultures, while older vets sometimes ride it out for the check; it’s a tough balance.

The vets who got me paid taught me to pay it forward; I’m proud seeing Jaqaun McMillian ball after the bumps.

They found their dude—how proud were you watching Bo Nix and Sean flip the script?

I’m hyped for them; Sean set the standard, Bo’s a winner late in games, and while Caleb’s freaky gifted and Jayden flashed when healthy, Bo keeps stacking W’s.

If Bo’s healthy in that title run, do the Broncos make the Super Bowl?

I think so—Stidham handled it well, but Bo’s legs change math, and that snow plus a conservative plan tightened everything.

I keep saying you’d be snatching Drake May a couple times a game.

They had a strong year and a clean path, but context matters; folks ding Josh Allen for no ring the same way.

Can Bo take Broncos Country back to the Bowl?

Yes, the best window is while he is on the rookie deal, and now every opponent will circle them on the calendar.

Should QBs stay longer in college, or is it really about where they land?

Coaching fit decides so much; smart staffs build around what a QB does well instead of cramming him into the wrong playbook.

We agree bad coaching can ruin talent; give me the Broncos over nine and a half wins.

I’ve got ten—split with KC, handle the division, and let that defense carry the rest.

When you left Denver for Atlanta, what really drove it?

Cap math—Sean kept it a hundred and let me hit the market early; Atlanta felt right with Raheem, Jesse, AJ, and Grady, we started six and three, then slid when the offense dipped and we did not help enough.

Then they paid Kirk and drafted Penix; I’m skeptical on lefty QBs and the fit with that new setup.

Kirk earned his deal, and drafting a QB created pressure; culture was strong with our vets, but the South’s been winnable and we could not finish.

Which side is tougher right now, AFC or NFC?

The AFC North still sets the bar—Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and those groups play trench ball every week.

Walk us through when the internet said you died.

My phone blew up, and it turned out to be Justin Allen Simmons, an organ donor honored with a hospital walk; we flew his family to a game, I grabbed a pick, and handed them the ball to honor his life.

You’ve been open about faith—what’s that walk like post-career?

It’s hard and it’s a blessing; I lean on Christ and my village, try to love my wife and kids well, own my mistakes, and stand on that rock when life tests me.

What scripture do you hold close?

Colossians three seventeen—whatever you do in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks.

Rapid fire—who you got first?

I’m rolling with Tua.

Pre-game or pre-round artist?

J. Cole, easy.

Top safeties all time—name three with you in it.

Me, Ed Reed, and Troy Polamalu.

Favorite QB you battled?

Mahomes or Big Ben, and yeah, I got six on Pat.

Drake or Kendrick?

Drake.

Favorite away stadium and pregame plate?

US Bank in Minnesota, and I kept it simple with chicken, pasta, and a salad.

Wimby or SGA, and Brady or Peyton?

Wimby, and Brady.

Florida or Louisiana for best football talent ever?

Florida.

Appreciate you, bro—keep walking in faith and leading; that transition is real, and you’re handling it with grace.

Much love, my brother; enjoy the kids, enjoy the summer, and we’re back to training at four thirty—let’s go.

Love y’all—thanks for having me; we out.