Broncos Contracts

Since the rumor mill has been picking up regarding the idea of the Broncos picking up Tony Romo, I think it's reached the point where the financial consequences of such a deal should be explored further.Read more...

The Broncos will get picks in the 3rd (#101), 5th (#177), and two in the 7th (#252 and #253). https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/835222394142871554 Press release is here. In sum, two adverse changes were made to my Broncos' projection that I both anticipated might happen.  Danny Trevathan was valued as a 5th rounder, of which I thought was a very close call, and isn't a huge deal.  But the real blow against the Broncos was that the compensatory formula decided to count the entirety of Russell Okung's contract (as well as Kelvin Beachum's, structured the same way).  That caused Okung to be easily valued as a 3rd rounder, and thus canceled out their highest 3rd round CFA lost, and that was Brock Osweiler.  In turn, it freed up a 7th round pick for Vernon Davis.  The Broncos' other 7th rounder, for Ryan Harris, will be the Mr. Irrelevant pick once again for Denver.  This year, I personally hope they won't trade it.Read more...

One of the top pending questions surrounding the Broncos before the 2017 league year begins was whether a 4-year option on Russell Okung's contract would be exercised.  Today, the reports are that the answer is no.  Reactions were swift now that the answer is reasonably known, but I think it's prudent to take a breath and look at the facts surrounding why the Broncos made this decision.  Then, we can take a look at what the future may hold at the left tackle position.Read more...

My observation of the left tackle market was well-received, so I think it's only appropriate to follow with a similar addition on the right side, where the need may be even more urgent for the Broncos.Read more...

There was a fair amount of news yesterday regarding the status of multiple left tackles as the 2016 league year wraps down.  Cameron Wolfe added to the conversation by expressing proper skepticism on Russell Okung's four year option being picked up. With the possibility that the Broncos will be looking for a new left tackle for 2017, I thought it would be instructive to take a look at where all 32 teams stand at the position so that it's easier to reference what possibilities the Broncos have in changing up the position.Read more...

As most Broncos fans know well, a grave injustice was done when Ryan Grigson edged out John Elway for Executive of the Year in 2012.  While this subject will always contain a little bit of soreness, history has vindicated this injustice, as can be illustrated in these respective links for Grigson and Elway. Now that the Grigson era has ended in Indianapolis, I feel that we should close the chapter on this by taking a detailed look at the transactions that Elway and Grigson each executed during their overlapping reins as GMs.  This means that I'm not giving Elway credit for 2011, and his stellar acquisitions such as Von Miller, Julius Thomas, and Chris Harris.  But as you'll see, he doesn't even need that year. This list represents the opinion that I'm expressing in this article.  The grades that I've given each transaction are subjective, but I feel they are also fair.Read more...

When I wrote my offseason road map for the Broncos this year, I did so under the presumption that Gary Kubiak was not going anywhere.  That, of course, was incorrect, and the Broncos have already got a head start on achieving goal #1, a cleanout of the offensive coaching staff. Now that we know that John Elway has hired Vance Joseph as head coach and Mike McCoy as offensive coordinator, I think it would be prudent to revisit some points on my roadmap--specifically the goals that refer to the quarterback and offensive line positions.Read more...

My final projection at OTC for the 2017 compensatory picks gives the Broncos two 3rd round comp picks (for Brock Osweiler and Malik Jackson), a 4th round comp pick (for Danny Trevathan), and a 7th round comp pick--the Mr. Irrelevant pick, in fact--for Ryan Harris. You will also find a list of all of the Broncos' projected draft picks on the sidebar for quick reference during the offseason.Read more...

ADDENDUM (January 16, 2017): This article was written before Gary Kubiak's retirement.  Please see revisions that have been made to this roadmap in this article. Suffice to say, I am not happy with writing this annual article in December. Nonetheless, it's important to get out my opinion on what the Broncos should do in the upcoming months, as the evaluation needs to start right now. Read more...

OTC now has the goods: The main points: Stewart gets a $7 million signing bonus and a $6 million fully guaranteed 2017 base salary. The 2018 base salary of $4.5 million is guaranteed for injury only. Also, per usual with the Broncos, the last year contains a team option that will allow them to part ways with Stewart in 2020 while also allowing him to qualify for the 2021 compensatory pick formula. Generally speaking, this is a standard contract for someone valued on the upper edge of mid level starting talent.  Note that Stewart's 2016 base salary remains unchanged, representing the notion that this extension does not start until 2017. However, for cap purposes it's always shrewd to take care of some of the prorated signing bonus money right now while the cap dollars are available, and that's what the Broncos gain by extending Stewart during the season.  It's another reason why, in my opinion, the Broncos should stop expressing an aversion to doing deals during the season, since they've now proven on several instances that they're open to doing it.Read more...