Simmons was selected No. 8 overall by the Cardinals and spent the last two seasons with the Giants. A linebacker/safety hybrid, Simmons has appeared in 34 games since 2023, making just five starts. He’s totaled 71 tackles, two TFLs, one interception, and five pass breakups over that span but played on a career-low 181 defensive snaps last season. Simmons will be 27 at the start of next season but has struggled to live up to the potential that made him a top draft pick six years ago. Wherever he lands next, it will likely be on a one-year prove-it deal as a role player.

According to the team page, the Giants and Simmons have agreed to terms on a return pending a physical. Simmons was acquired via trade from the Cardinals last offseason, and tallied 50 tackles, one sack, and one interception in 17 games. The versatile defender hasn’t lived up to the talent that made him a first-round pick in 2020, but he clearly showed enough for the Giants to want to run things back with him for one more season.

Simmons entered the league as a first-round pick in the 2020 draft and was regarded somewhat as a positionless player. A hybrid defender during his time at Clemson, Simmons’ elite size and athleticism saw him used all over the field, primarily as a linebacker, slot corner, and safety. Unfortunately, he’s struggled to adapt to the NFL. He switched from linebacker to safety earlier this summer, and his hid fifth-year option declined back in May. Now in the final year of his rookie deal, he’ll look to make an impact with the Giants under defensive coordinator Wink Martindale before entering free agency next offseason.

Simmons was exclusively a linebacker early in his career, but played 423 snaps at cornerback and safety last season. The Cardinals declined his fifth-year option despite Simmons having arguably his most successful year to date in 2022. He has not consistently been a good run defender, but Simmons offers a lot of versatility and this is likely a good move for him.