ENGLEWOOD • On April 29, 2026, Justin Simmons looked back with amazement on April 29, 2016.

On Wednesday, exactly 10 years after the star safety had been drafted by the Broncos in the third round out of Boston College, he announced his retirement from the NFL at Broncos Park. He came dressed in a natty blue suit with a number of family members on hand.

“This is beyond my wildest dreams, 10 years ago to the day, walking into the building, eyes (wide) like this, not knowing whose hands I’m shaking, but just wanting to make a difference on the field,” said Simmons, 32.

Simmons sure did that. Playing for the Broncos from 2016-23, he had 30 interceptions and was named second-team All-Pro four times and to two Pro Bowls. After being released due to salary-cap reasons, he spent 2024 with the Atlanta Falcons. He sat out last season when not being able to find an NFL job to his liking.

But while Simmons was gaining accolades during his eight Broncos seasons, they didn’t make the playoffs during any of them. They won Super Bowl 50 the season before he arrived and didn’t make the playoffs again until the year after he left.

“It was a hard eight years,’’ said Simmons, who at times held back tears while talking. “What made it even harder (than simply the record) was as the years went on, my leadership was growing and expanding. I felt like I was the one (on the team) who had to answer all the hard questions.”

With the Broncos having seven losing records in his eight seasons, Simmons said “he felt like I let a lot of people down over the years.” But Simmons said that seeing such an outpouring of support from Broncos fans on social media Wednesday was “heartwarming” and he’s “thankful” and “blessed” and “honored” for his career.

The Broncos put a picture on social media of Simmons signing what essentially is a one-day contract while noting he is “officially a Bronco for life.” Then he was introduced before a news conference by Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater, who starred for the Broncos from 1989-98.

Atwater lauded Simmons’ playing career as well as his work in the community. Simmons three times was the Broncos’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

“He truly set the standard for what it means to be a Denver Bronco,’’ Atwater said. “Justin, congratulations on an amazing, amazing career. We couldn’t be prouder and we look forward to celebrating you all over again this fall (at a game) in front of Broncos Country at Empower Field.”

Looking back on having joined the Broncos, Simmons said he had “lost hope” of being taken on the second day of the draft until Hall of Fame quarterback and then-Broncos general manager John Elway called to say he had been selected with the final pick in the third round. Simmons on Wednesday thanked Elway as well as numerous others from his Broncos tenure.

Simmons moved into the starting lineup in his second season and by 2019 earned his first second-team All-Pro nod. In 2022, he tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions.

“I came in here with high expectations, like, ‘I’m going to leave here a Hall of Famer,’’’ Simmons said. “My goal was to break Steve Foley’s interception record.”

That didn’t happen. The Ring of Fame safety who played with the Broncos from 1976-86 continues to hold the mark of 44.

“I told (Simmons) I wanted him to break the record because he’s such a man of faith and a team leader and a doggone good player,’’ Foley told The Denver Gazette on Wednesday about talking to Simmons when he played for Denver. “I thought if he would have stayed here another three or four years, he had that chance. He was such a good leader. I just always enjoyed watching him, and I wanted him to break it.”

After being released by the Broncos in March 2024, Simmons joined the Falcons for one year. He said the season didn’t go as well as he had hoped.

While in Atlanta, his family remained at their home in the Denver area. Family members on hand Wednesday included wife Taryn, daughters Laney, 7, and Shae, 4, son Kyler, 3, his mother, Kim, and several other relatives.

“Literally a week and a half into it, it was the most miserable part of being in Atlanta,’’ Simmons said. “It was hard. I felt like I was parenting on Face Time. It was hard being away from the kids. It was hard seeing Taryn struggle with them (in Colorado). Not on her own, but without dad, it’s hard.”

After the 2024 season, Simmons said he “still wanted to play” but was “going to be very specific with the team that I go play for.” He said a few teams were looking at him, but nothing worked out.

Now, Simmons is ready to move on to the next phase of his life.

“I’m going to spend this year doing a lot of planning and shadowing,’’ he said. “I’m going to do broadcast stuff. I would love to sit behind production and see the behind the scenes, not just jump straight into doing something. … The real impact at least I know I’m going to do, at least down the road, is some type of high school position. Not necessarily saying (as) a coach. … I care about giving back. What a shame for me to have this platform and not be able to share it and give back in the same way that people gave to me. I’m going to find out some way, shape or form or fashion of doing that.”

Simmons said he greatly admires legendary Broncos radio play-by-play announcer and high school football coach Dave Logan and wants to “pick his brain.” He also plans to keep up plenty with the Broncos, who went 14-3 last season and advanced to the AFC Championship Game.

“I’ll always be a Broncos fan,’’ he said. “I can’t wait to go to a game and tailgate. I’ve never done that ever. Get to meet some fans and see what Broncos Country is really like because I only know it from a player’s perspective.”