HEADLINES

Broncos window to right ship could be as small as two seasons

Jun 20, 2018, 5:43 PM

The clock is ticking for the Denver Broncos.

Just 13 players from the Super Bowl 50 roster in 2015 remain with the team in 2018, none of which finds himself on the younger side of 25 years of age.

But, perhaps more striking, if that all but two of the baker’s dozen — kicker Brandon McManus — will be unrestricted free agents within two years or have “potential outs,” according to Spotrac.com.


Player 2019 2020 2021 2022
Shaquil Barrett UFA
Todd Davis Potential out ($1 million dead cap) UFA
Max Garcia UFA
Chris Harris Jr. UFA
Brandon Marshall Potential out ($4 million dead cap) UFA
Brandon McManus UFA
Von Miller Potential out ($11.85 million dead cap) UFA
Matt Paradis UFA
Shane Ray UFA
Bradley Roby UFA
Emmanuel Sanders Potential out ($2.69 million dead cap) UFA
Darian Stewart Potential out ($2.8 million dead cap) UFA
Demaryius Thomas Potential out ($2.2 million dead cap) UFA

(Figures from Spotrac.com)


Even Super Bowl 50 MVP and All-Pro pass rusher Von Miller isn’t immune, with a potential out in 2020 — though Denver would pay a hefty dead cap of $11.85 million.

“The language of the NFL is money, and all of these contracts for these older Broncos — Demaryius, Emmanuel, Derek Wolfe, Chris Harris, Von Miller, with the potential out — it seems like two years is the countdown,” said Cecil Lammey, host of “Pritchard and Cecil,” on Wednesday.

“Two years with Case (Keenum).”

Lammey said guys like Harris and Miller fit the mold of Broncos lifers, but looking at the structure of the deals, it’s hard not to make the conclusion.

“The way these contracts are written, there’s a two-year timer that’s on this team,” Lammey said, adding that there’s “more pressure” on Keenum than perhaps seen on first glance.

“You want to know why Case Keenum got a two-year contract? It’s because all these other players are on a two-year contract,” said Lammey’s co-host Mike Pritchard on Wednesday. “You want to know why Case Keenum is under the gun in terms of a prove it situation? All these older players are under a prove it situation.”

The situation, however, means the Broncos are “all-in” on Keenum and “all-in” on a prove it situation with its “older core.”

“This organization still believes in you guys as vets, that you can right this ship. You won a championship for this organization,” Pritchard said. “You lost … 5-11 last year for this organization. Now, we’re tasking you guys to lead the resurgence.”

What does a rebound look like, though? Pritchard said it’s some type of “championship or bust” mentality.

“It’s not 8-8. It’s certainly not a losing season. It’s chasing an AFC title, making a playoff run,” Pritchard said.

And if Keenum, head coach Vance Joseph, and the Broncos veterans can’t get it done, Pritchard said, there’s a young crop of players Denver can rebuild with.

“When you look at this team and how they’re constructed right now, and certainly what they did in the draft in 2018, they have separate cores,” Pritchard said. “They have an older core, and these vets have won a championship. And they just drafted a new core because, ultimately, you’re going to replace these guys.”

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

Headlines

Steve Tensi...

Andrew Mason

Former Broncos quarterback Steve Tensi passes away

Steve Tensi, who quarterbacked the Denver Broncos for four seasons in their early years, died at the age of 81.

2 hours ago

Josh Dobbs...

Andrew Mason

Another QB drops off the market, so, which veteran quarterbacks are left?

Cross another free-agent quarterback off the available list, as Josh Dobbs joined the San Francisco 49ers on Monday.

4 hours ago

J.J. McCarthy...

Jake Shapiro

New favorite emerges to select J.J. McCarthy in NFL Draft

Sean Payton may have found who he wants to be the next QB of the Denver Broncos but will Michigan's J.J. McCarthy still be on the board

9 hours ago

Kirk Cousins Broncos...

Andrew Mason

Report: Broncos ‘touched base’ with agent of Kirk Cousins before he went to Falcons

Kirk Cousins almost certainly wasn't coming to Denver, but the Broncos had interest -- if his price came down in free agency.

9 hours ago

Nikolai Kovalenko...

Jake Shapiro

Blue-chip Avalanche prospect could soon join the team

Nikolai Kovalenko is in Denver, could that mean the Russian forward could soon be joining the Colorado Avalanche

11 hours ago

Courtland Sutton's contract...

Will Petersen

Broncos make move with Courtland Sutton’s contract worth noting

Mike Klis notes that the Broncos picked up Courtland Sutton's full $2 million injury guarantee on his contact for the 2024 season

11 hours ago

Broncos window to right ship could be as small as two seasons