When the Broncos and quarterback Joe Flacco agreed to a contract restructuring last month to free up $13.6 million in immediate salary cap space, the belief was general manager John Elway had other in-house moves planned with an eye toward 2020.

Might safety Justin Simmons be the first beneficiary?

The Broncos and Simmons’ camp briefly engaged in contract discussions before the regular season started but then tabled them.

“It was both sides (deciding that); kind of mutual,” Simmons told The Denver Post. “We’ll see where we’re at (later in the season) and if something is going to get done, it will. If not, we’ll see where we’re at after the season. Not worried about it.”

Simmons played every defensive snap last year (1,079, one of only three defensive players in the league to not miss a play) and has played all 116 snaps this year. He enters Sunday’s game at Green Bay with 12 tackles, two pass break-ups and one missed tackle.

RELATED: Kiszla: If Von Miller can’t sack quarterbacks and team can’t win, Broncos must consider trading him

“He played well this past Sunday (against Chicago),” coach Vic Fangio said. “These (two) games have been to where the splash plays that you’re all looking for or grab onto weren’t always available (to Simmons).”

Well, Vic, the defense needs some splash plays to help climb out of the current 0-2 hole. The Broncos have no takeaways. Simmons could be that guy to get turnovers. He has shown position versatility in two games, both to patrol the deep middle of the field and also account for receivers and tight ends who line up in the slot. That allows Fangio to occasionally stay in his base defense against three-receiver personnel.

Fangio is clearly a fan of Simmons and by engaging with Simmons’ camp, Elway is, too.

Four times in the last four-plus years, Elway has signed players to extensions during the season: Cornerback Chris Harris (December 2014), defensive end Derek Wolfe (January 2016), safety Darian Stewart (November 2016) and kicker Brandon McManus (September 2017).

It makes sense for Elway to get a head start on next offseason.

The 2020 free-agent class includes seven players who will start against the Packers: Simmons, defensive end Adam Gotsis and center Connor McGovern are in the final year of their rookie deals; nose tackle Shelby Harris is on a one-year tender; and veterans Chris Harris, Wolfe and receiver Emmanuel Sanders are also scheduled for free agency.

The plus of extending a player’s contract before the end of the season is a portion of the signing bonus can be put on this year’s cap. It also guarantees the player won’t hit the free-agent market and it is one less thing for Elway and his front office staff to worry about as March approaches.

What would Simmons’ market look like? We took a look at safeties who entered free agency for the first time last March.

Landon Collins left the Giants for Washington (six years, $84 million, $44.5 million guaranteed), Adrian Amos left Chicago for Green Bay (four years, $36 million, $12 million guaranteed) and Lamarcus Joyner left the Rams for Oakland (four years, $42 million, $21.3 million guaranteed). In training camp, Kevin Byard signed an extension with Tennessee (five years, $70 million, $31.5 million guaranteed). He was ticketed for free agency next March like Simmons.

The Broncos should prioritize extending Simmons’ contract because it’s easier to keep him than find a new safety.

Having in-season contract negotiations can be tricky for some players, but Simmons seems equipped to handle it.

Chris Harris, who is completing his second contract with the Broncos and whose worth rises with each game Bryce Callahan (foot) misses, recalled his in-season contract experience before practice on Wednesday.

“I did pretty well just being able to play ball and let my agent handle it,” he said. “But some guys are different. It just depends. If (Simmons) wants to put it off, maybe it’s better for him to handle it later.”

Harris was an undrafted free agent and signed a five-year extension.

“It took a couple of months (of negotiations), for sure,” he said. “I don’t think it was right away.”

Simmons was asked if he is betting on himself to stay healthy and stay productive instead of instructing his camp to push forward with talks.

“For sure,” he said. “As long as I take care of what I need to on the field, (the contract) will take care of itself.”