Report: Broncos 'Looking' to Re-Sign S P.J. Locke After Simmons Release

Denver is searching in-house for Justin Simmons' replacement.

Coinciding with the release of Justin Simmons, the Denver Broncos are "looking to re-sign" impending unrestricted free-agent safety P.J. Locke, who could step into a full-time starting role next season, The Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson reported Thursday.

Undrafted out of Texas in 2019, Locke has been with the Broncos since his rookie campaign but saw substantial action last year after Caden Sterns was lost to injury and Kareem Jackson missed multiple games on suspension.

Making eight starts, Locke tallied 53 combined tackles (33 solo), five pass deflections, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception across a career-high 539 defensive snaps. He was instrumental to the club's five-game midseason winning streak during which Denver led the NFL in takeaways.

“He’s been an exceptional blitzer for us in the last couple weeks," defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said of Locke in December. "Some guys have a knack for timing and a knack for gaining speed quickly and making left and right turns quickly. He has that knack. He hits his target, and he doesn’t miss too many opportunities when he blitzes clean. It’s been fun to watch him do it. He wants to do more of it. Gameplans change, but he’s been a good blitzer for us.”

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Assuming he puts pen to paper, Locke, 27, will top a depth chart consisting of Sterns, JL Skinner, Delarrin Turner-Yell, Devon Key, and Keidron Smith — though the Broncos are nearly certain to bolster the position via next month's draft.

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