The preseason often brings new faces into the building, either for tryout roles, or true signings. The circumstances of bringing in a new player so late in the offseason are often dictated by injury or the play of others.
The Denver Broncos signed a Justin Simmons-like safety in free agent Taylor Rapp on Thursday, shoring up the safety position behind Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones. Rapp, an eighth-year veteran, spent 2019-22 with the Los Angeles Rams before signing with the Buffalo Bills, where he played from 2023-25. Rapp is coming off a season-ending knee injury in 2025, and was cleared by Broncos doctors before signing with the team.
In his career, Rapp has totaled 488 career tackles, 31 pass breakups and 12 interceptions in 93 games (72
starts). Rapp's signing should fill the gap left by P.J. Locke, who left the Broncos at the start of 2026 free agency.
Here's a sampling of how Twitter/X reacted to the news of Rapp signing with Denver:
Before being limited to six games last year, Rapp posted 82 tackles and two interceptions in 14 games for the Bills in 2024
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) August 20, 2026
— ᴄʜᴀsᴇ (@BolieveInNix) August 20, 2026
Broncos add some much needed safety depth https://t.co/dtVOaIUw4o
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 20, 2026
Let’s gooooo ⚓️ https://t.co/yXdfOrIsRn
— Nathan Carroll (@Nathan_Boise) August 20, 2026
— PeteNova (@SuperrNova38) August 20, 2026
interesting https://t.co/O8lVW7fZxS
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) August 20, 2026
The Broncos have signed S Taylor Rapp, per multiple reports 🔥
— SleeperBroncos (@SleeperBroncos) August 20, 2026
He provides extra insurance in the safety room and can be a reliable piece when healthy❕#BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/iK5wCFlwGn
Good depth should fill that PJ Locke role https://t.co/QVjwxu2uEh
— Chris (@Chris_Dnvr) August 20, 2026
What to know about S Taylor Rapp:
— Rachel Vigil (@heyrachelvigil) August 20, 2026
2019 second-round pick by the Rams
Career stats: 488 tackles, 12 INTs (1 pick-six), 4 fumble recoveries, 2 sacks, 31 passes defensed
Started for the 2021 Rams team that won Super Bowl LVI
Signed with Buffalo in 2023, re-signed to a… pic.twitter.com/OL1y2cp65F
Rapp has a ton of starting experience and is only 28 years old. Looks like the Broncos have their third safety. https://t.co/JcJmxNxEuQ
— Henry Chisholm (@HenryChisholm) August 20, 2026
I had been hoping that they'd sign Taylor Rapp once I heard they worked him out. The Broncos have a very deep roster, but if you squint hard enough you might be able to see some shallowness at safety. https://t.co/EkYYJzzdAY
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) August 20, 2026
Rapp immediately becomes the clear favorite to serve as the third-choice safety in 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Twitter reacts to Broncos signing veteran safety Taylor Rapp
