The Las Vegas Raiders are hoping to flip the AFC West on its head. For years, the franchise had hoped to take the spirit of the Patriot Way and morph it into the Raider Way. Now, they are hoping to do things by reviving the Seattle Seahawks’ approach.
However, while much of the team resembles the offense from the prime of the Seahawks era, there are still some gaps to fill defensively, and a former rival could help.
Justin Simmons is still available, and long-time Raiders fans can vividly remember him leading the Denver Broncos defense alongside Mile High legend Von Miller. The Raiders need a safety, and Simmons could be the ticket.
As things stand, the Raiders are on course to likely start Isaiah Pola-Mao at safety, but based on his production in 2024, the team needs an upgrade or at least some added competition.
Pola-Mao finished with a 54.2 PFF grade, leaving plenty of room for improvement, whether it be Simmons or his presence that sparks something in Pola-Mao.
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While Simmons might not be in his prime anymore, he is still coming off a season in which he earned two interceptions, trumping Pola-Mao’s career total of one interception. Additionally, Simmons, a veteran of Vance Joseph’s defensive scheme in Denver, could provide some added behind-the-scenes information, which could be clutch.
Of course, the hurdle might be convincing the safety to sign with his former rival.
How The Las Vegas Raiders Could Win Over Justin Simmons
According to a statement made to The Denver Post on July 9, Simmons is being “picky” about where he wants to land.
“In terms of where I’m at now, (I’m) being a little bit more picky where we want to go and where we want to call home next … the next two years, a year, whatever it is … but a contender is No. 1 on the list right now.”
Simmons’ hard-to-get approach makes the Raiders’ job harder, but not impossible. All the Raiders need to do is convince Justin Simmons that they can contend for a Super Bowl in the next two years.
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Adding former Super Bowl champion Pete Carroll has given the Raiders the legitimacy to pitch themselves as a contender. However, if Simmons also remains stuck waiting in the breeze until training camp, he might be more easily had.
It simply will take the Raiders being the first caller after he makes that decision.
Ultimately, the Raiders require a defensive boost to revive the Legion of Boom, and Simmons could be a key piece in achieving that goal. It, of course, would create some headlines in the lead-up to facing the Broncos, but that’s what football is all about.
Could the Raiders convince Simmons to finish his career in the division made his name in?