The Denver Broncos agreed to trade pass rusher Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick.
Here’s a sampling of how fans and pundits agreed to the news on Twitter/X.
The #cardinals had shifted to buyers and were making calls around the league to improve their defense and specifically at edge. The #broncos had made Baron Browning, an edge rusher with great talent and athleticism, but some injury issues, available. It's a 6th going back to…
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 4, 2024
I talked with Baron Browning on Thursday. He was never informed that he could be possibly traded, but was ready if it happened. Said he knows it's a business and if you go somewhere, that also means someone wants you. https://t.co/M1mEuyYi79
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 4, 2024
Why the #broncos traded Baron Browning:
– was slated to be a free agent
– Has had injury issues
– Rookie Jonah Elliss' play is improving
– Sunday's loss was telling where they are
– Denver is building a young team through the draft— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 4, 2024
This is the deal that made the most sense for the Broncos.
They have depth at OLB. Both Browning and Jonathon Cooper are free agents after the season. Cooper has been the better player, so it makes sense to choose him. Might as well get something for Browning while you can. https://t.co/RCTp6hegYU
— Henry Chisholm (@HenryChisholm) November 4, 2024
Baron Browning is a free agent after this year and the Broncos like their depth at OLB so they decided now was the best time to move on from him in exchange for a 6th round pick. Browning is now an Arizona Cardinal.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) November 4, 2024
Broncos fans saying “that’s it?!” in getting a 6th rd pick for Browning lol what did you expect?
— T (@TimContic) November 4, 2024
I’m not exactly sure what yall expected to get for Baron Browning…. He hasn’t produced very much & he was hurt this year also.
Getting a 6th is generous from the Cardinals if anything lmao
— Ricky 🍃 (@SurtainEra) November 4, 2024
Getting a R6 pick for Baron Browning was the best that could realistically be extracted for a player on an expiring contract who’d dropped to the second team and has a lengthy injury history. https://t.co/X8NtWBTeAn
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) November 4, 2024
Currently, this would be around the 201st overall pick.
Baron Browning would need to get about $3M-$4.5M in free agency next season to generate a 6th round comp pick.
So the Broncos get their pick for his departure locked in, without playing the compensatory formula game. https://t.co/SWYG4uHypc
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) November 4, 2024
Browning, a 2021 third-round pick, played 24 snaps in Sunday’s loss. Broncos add draft capital and open more room for third-round rookie Jonah Elliss. https://t.co/0aL3L5Joeh
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) November 4, 2024
The Cardinals traded a 6th round pick for Former Bronco Baron Browning
PFF stats below. pic.twitter.com/AA4Ul8lyet
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) November 4, 2024
Don't dislike the addition of Baron Browning, but pretty underwhelming for a guy with 0 sacks and 4 tackles on the year.
Questioning how this is different from someone like Victor Dimukeje or Jesse Luketa.
Has never really shown an ability to rush the passer at any level.
— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) November 4, 2024
The Cardinals have been aggressive in looking for a pass-rusher over the last week—and got one, in dealing a 2025 sixth-round pick to Denver for OLB Baron Browning. The Broncos always liked Browning's talent, never found the right way to maximize it. So he gets a fresh start.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 4, 2024
Think this is a great landing spot for Browning and a great move for the Broncos
Writing was on the board which EDGE they were gonna bring back considering Coop’s big year, so now they’re getting at least something for him
Plus more reps for Elliss/Tillman. Good for development https://t.co/rFO5l0KMKG
— Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars) November 4, 2024
Broncos are smart to stockpile assets in a year where they’ve already exceeded expectations. https://t.co/OUI3XlX0v1
— Frankie Abbott (@FrankiesFilm) November 4, 2024
Denver also gave a four-year, $60 million contract extension to outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper, shoring up the team’s long-term plan at the position. The NFL’s trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 2:00 p.m. MT.