Broncos release two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons, team's longest-tenured player

The Denver Broncos are turning the page on the longest-tenured player.

The team is cutting two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons, the team announced Thursday. His release saves the team $14.5 million against the salary cap.

Simmons, 30, had been a staple of the Broncos' stellar defenses since arriving as a third-round draft pick in 2016 out of Boston College. He has the most interceptions (30) of any player since that point.

"Justin Simmons' impact as a Denver Bronco extends far beyond his exceptional play during eight seasons with our organization," the Broncos said in a statement. "In addition to growing into an All-Pro and team captain, Justin became our perennial Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year devoted to uplifting others and using his influence for positive change. ... Justin will always be a Bronco, and we thank him for the outstanding manner in which he represented our organization on and off the field."

Simmons' release comes three days after the Broncos revealed they would cut quarterback Russell Wilson sometime after the new league year begins next Wednesday. Moving on from Wilson entails a record $85 million dead cap hit, though the team can spread that out over two years.

Simmons joins a crowded field of free-agent safeties that includes Xavier McKinney, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Jordan Poyer and Kamren Curl, among others.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Justin Simmons released: Denver Broncos cut two-time Pro Bowl safety