The Denver Broncos were busy during the first week of NFL free agency!
To recap the team’s big moves, I joined Ryan O’Leary (@RyanO_Leary on Twitter) on this week’s podcast to break it all down.
You can listen to Episode 75 below:
Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
Broncos Wire will check back in throughout the offseason with new podcast episodes to provide updates on the team’s free agency moves, NFL draft results and more.
If you enjoy the podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!
Our unedited notes for this week’s pod can be seen below.
The offensive line is fixed! (Mostly)
- OG: Ben Powers (replacing Dalton Risner) 4 years, $52 million
- RT: Mike McGlinchey (replacing revolving door) 5 years, $87.5 million
- OL: Garett Bolles, Powers, [Center], Quinn Meinerz, McGlinchey
- Denver signed two high-profile offensive linemen, a blocking tight end, a fullback and a running back. They’re going to pound the rock.
Defensive line: Dre’Mont Jones vs. Zach Allen
- Denver signed Allen to a 3-year, $45.75M deal with $32.5M guaranteed. He’ll earn an average of $15.25M per season. 2023 cap hit: $7.25M.
- Seattle signed Jones to a 3-year, $51.53M deal with $30M guaranteed. He’ll earn an average of $17.17M per season. 2023 cap hit: $10M.
- Allen: 47 tackles, 20 QB hits, 8 PBUs and 5.5 sacks in 13 games in 2022.
- Jones: 47 tackles, 10 QB hits, 0 PBUs and 6.5 sacks in 13 games in 2022.
- Allen has spent his entire career playing under Vance Joseph.
Backup quarterback: Jarrett Stidham vs. Brett Rypien
- Denver declined Rypien’s one-year, $2.63 million RFA tender.
- The Broncos then signed Stidham to a 2-year, $10 million deal.
- Rypien: Undrafted, 2-1 as starter / 4 TDs with 8 INTs
- Stidham: 4th-round pick, 0-2 as starter / 6 TDs with 7 INTs
Running back: Javonte Williams insurance secured
- Samaje Perine: 2 years, $7.5 million.
- Good receiving back. Good blocking back. Filled in well when Joe Mixon was injured with the Bengals. Probably a good fit for Sean Payton.
- Denver might still sign a budget back (Latavius Murray?) and I’d still like them to draft a young, cheap RB to add more depth.
Will the Broncos trade a WR?
- The team has gotten calls about Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler.
- Jeudy probably has the most trade value. Teams made offers for him before the deadline last season. Patriots made contact before they signed JuJu. Denver wants “at least” a first for Jeudy.
- Sutton tweeted last week “I just want to be where I’m wanted and appreciated.”
- Denver was aggressive trying to sign Allen Lazard before he went to the Jets.
- Seems like one (or maybe even both) of Sutton and Jeudy could be traded, but the Broncos have been firm in their price so far.
Nathaniel Hackett bait (seemingly) worked for the Jets
- Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday he wants to play for the Jets, it’s just a matter of New York and Green Bay figuring out compensation.
- Rodgers also said Hackett is a big reason why he wants to play for the Jets.
- Perhaps what the Broncos tried to do last year. Oh well. Rodgers turns 40 years old this season.
What’s next?
- Denver cut Ronald Darby and they could use another cornerback (they did sign a corner/returner Wednesday). The Eagles are set to cut Darius Slay, and he’ll be paid a lot by Philly this year. Maybe Denver could give him a one-year deal?
- Depending on if they re-sign Kareem Jackson (and depending on how much they like Caden Sterns), Broncos might want to add a safety.
- I’d re-sign P.J. Locke for depth.
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson spent the first three years of his career in New Orleans playing under Payton. He has played both as a safety and as a slot cornerback. I’d love to add him and have his versatility in the secondary.
- Denver could use more depth on the defensive line. If they can afford it, I’d like to re-sign DeShawn Williams. (Editor’s note: Williams agreed to terms with the Panthers while we were recording.)
- The Broncos have to be close to being right up against the cap, but they could create a little more with trades and restructures are possible, too.
- The rest can be patched up in draft (C, RB depth, WR depth, LB depth, P)
We are tracking all of the team’s free agency moves on Broncos Wire.
You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.
