Could Broncos safety T.J. Ward be a ‘cap casualty’ this offseason?

As an offseason full of change down at the UCHealth Training Center rolls along, with turnover at head coach and a majority of the coaching staff, the Denver Broncos face down the draft, free agency, and, ultimately, decisions on who will be a part of its roster moving forward to next season.

And among the veterans mentioned as possible “cap casualties” lie some members of the coveted “No Fly Zone.”

Earlier this week, “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mike Evans offered up that Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib, entering the final year of his four-year deal with Denver, could be among those veterans on the way out.

Talib’s salary jumps from $8.5 million in 2016 to $11 million in 2017. And with a dead cap total of just $2 million, according to spotrac.com, Evans said Talib makes a prime candidate for a cap casualty.

However, 9News Broncos Insider Mike Klis told “Schlereth and Evans” that he’s heard Talib will be back in 2017 — though he could be the potential victim of a pay cut — saying he’s just “too good of a player” on a team that’s already faced a lot of transition lately.

“You lose Wade Phillips; you can’t afford to lose Aqib Talib. He’s the second-best player on the team, not just the second-best player on defense behind Von Miller but probably better than any guy they have on offense going right now,” Klis said.

Klis reiterated that stance with “C.J. and Stokley” on Wednesday, instead offering up another “possible” cut from the league’s top secondary: safety T.J. Ward.

“I think they might have a decision to make with T.J. Ward because he’s going to be 30 and Justin Simmons now, he came on,” Klis said. “And you drafted two guys you gave the money to (safety) Darian Stewart.”

The Broncos and Stewart, Ward’s partner in the back of the secondary, agreed to a four-year extension worth a reported $28 million in November.

Ward’s entering his fourth year in Denver, and he’s been beaten up a little bit recently, Klis said. Financially, Ward will make a $4.5 million base salary in 2017, has a cap hit of $5.75 million, and has $1.25 million in dead cap, according to spotrac.com.

However, Klis said he thinks everyone, including the Broncos, hopes that Ward will come back next season

“They’re better with T.J. Ward than without him. But that could be possible, possibly, a cap casualty,” Klis said.

Just the idea of trading or releasing Ward, however, is a “huge mistake,” according to “C.J. and Stokley” co-host Brandon Stokley.

Stokley said paying $5.75 million in 2017 isn’t a “high price to pay” for one of the best players in the Broncos defensive backfield.

“I think T.J. Ward is a valuable asset, even if it’s only for one year. I don’t know what I can get back with an immediate return that’s going to say, ‘You know what? It was worth getting rid of that guy,’” Stokley said.

“He is that intimidating force in the back end, along with Darian Stewart. They make such a great combo. Do you mess with the ‘No Fly Zone?’ Do you mess with one of those pieces? I don’t think so this year. I just think you let it play out.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.