All-Pro Safety Justin Simmons Draws Interest from 49ers, Eagles Amid Free Agency

Veteran safety Justin Simmons remains a notable free agent in 2025, attracting interest from multiple NFL teams seeking to bolster their secondary. The San Francisco 49ers are considered a prime candidate to sign Simmons due to their strong salary cap space and defensive backfield uncertainties, including injuries and departures; Simmons would reunite with Robert Saleh, the 49ers' defensive coordinator and a former disciple of Vic Fangio, Simmons' previous coach. The Philadelphia Eagles also represent a logical landing spot for Simmons, especially as they face a gap at safety after trading C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Vic Fangio is currently their defensive coordinator; however, concerns about Simmons' age and the Eagles' desire to get younger on defense may limit this move. The Carolina Panthers have engaged in talks with Simmons' representatives, seeing potential fit due to connections with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who shares a coaching lineage with Fangio. Simmons' past performances, including multiple All-Pro selections and strong interception numbers, make him an attractive option despite his age and recent down year, and he is expected to continue evaluating options as training camps approach. Overall, teams with Fangio coaching connections and a need for experienced safety depth are the most likely destinations for Simmons in 2025.