Former Steelers Safety Inks Extension with Broncos

The Denver Broncos are extending former Pittsburgh Steelers safety P.J. Locke III on a two-year, $7 million extension with a maximum value of $9 million, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. That comes after the team released Justin Simmons earlier in the week, and now Locke is set for a much more significant role.

The Steelers signed undrafted free agent safety P.J. Locke III in 2019, but he failed to make the final team out of training camp. But now, he has carved out quite the career for himself in the NFL with the Broncos, ascending from fringe special teamer to significant contributor.

Locke, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound safety from the University of Texas, played in 47 games and made 31 starts for the Longhorns over the last four seasons.

The Beaumont, Texas native finished his senior season third on the team with 77 tackles and had 5.5 tackles for loss, one-half sack, two forced fumbles, three passes defended and an interception in Texas’ Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia. Locke was named an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection after his senior year.

This past season was Locke’s best, where he racked up three sacks and 33 tackles and two forced fumbles. Locke started eight games for the Broncos, breaking out in his fourth season with the team. In his career, he has just one interception, which came this past season, while amassing 84 tackles across those four seasons. It appears now that Locke is set to become the starter for the Broncos as they move into the post-Simmons era.