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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jon Heath

PFF projects $14.28M per season for Lloyd Cushenberry in free agency

With salary cap limitations, the Denver Broncos might be in danger of losing multiple starters during NFL free agency this spring.

One of the team’s most notable in-house free agents is center Lloyd Cushenberry, who is coming off arguably the best season of his career. He earned a little more than $1.16 million per season on his rookie contract with the Broncos over the last four years. Now the center could be due for a huge raise on his next contract.

Pro Football Focus projects Cushenberry could receive a four-year, $57.1 million contract during free agency, an average of $14.28 million per season.

Such a deal would put Cushenberry among the highest-paid centers in the league. This year, Ryan Kelly ($14.625 million) and Corey Linsley ($14.1 million) will have the highest salary cap hits among centers.

Going by average salary over the length of a contract, Jason Kelce ($14.25 million) is currently the highest-paid center in the league. PFF’s projected contract would give Cushenberry a higher average than Kelce, a seven-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro and one-time Super Bowl champion.

That’s a reflection of the state of NFL free agency. The highest-paid players at each position are often the most recently paid, not necessarily the best. Cushenberry is a very good center, but the Broncos probably can’t afford him if PFF’s projection proves to be accurate.

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