By Brandon Krisztal
A pair of Broncos defenders are set to make their first career Pro Bowl Appearance. Safety Justin Simmons, who was selected 2nd Team All-Pro last season, was selected to his first Pro Bowl. And, linebacker Bradley Chubb was chosen as 1 of the 2 starting outside linebackers opposite of T.J. Watt of the Steelers.
Earlier Monday, prior to the announcement, Chubb and Simmons were the first 2 players Head Coach Vic Fangio mentioned when asked about which of his players deserved a Pro Bowl roster spot, "I think we have some guys that are definitely very, very deserving of it. I think Justin Simmons is very deserving of it and Bradley Chubb is very deserving of it."
Chubb is closing in on double-digit sacks with 7.5 and his 4th in the NFL in QB Pressures.
An emotional Chubb met the media via Zoom Video Conference.
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As for Simmons, who was a consensus snub a year ago, the selection feels like vindication. He's poised to cash in on 3 straight solid-seasons, where he hasn't missed a single snap dating back to the first play of 2018. Some speculate that he could become the highest paid safety in football.
In place of a traditional Pro Bowl game, selected players will participate in a week-long virtual event. Roster selections were determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches, with each group’s vote counted as one-third toward determining the 88 All-Stars.
The Pro Bowl nods mark the first such honors for both Chubb and Simmons, who were drafted by President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway in 2018 and ’16, respectively. During Elway’s 10 seasons as an executive, he has drafted, signed or extended the contracts of 21 players who have combined for 42 Pro Bowl selections with the Broncos.