Broncos To Decline Russell Okung’s Option

The Broncos have informed Russell Okung they will not be picking up his option, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The option was technically for $1MM, but it would have triggered a four-year, $48MM deal with $20.5MM in guaranteed cash. Russell Okung (vertical)

[RELATED: Examining Russell Okung’s Self-Negotiated Contract]

Last year, Okung made the unusual decision of negotiating his free agent deal without the help of an agent. Although the pact came with the possibility of guaranteed money for 2017 and beyond, there was really nothing in guaranteed cash at the time of signing. If Okung had an agent at the time, it’s hard to imagine that he would have ever agreed to such terms. After all, even minimum-salary players often receive guaranteed $80K signing bonuses. He also put himself behind the 8-ball since agent-less players cannot interact with teams during the legal tampering period before free agency officially starts.

Okung bet on himself and his gamble did not pay off. Although he turned in his first-career 16-game season, the advanced stats at Pro Football Focus gave him a 73.5 grade, which placed him as the No. 38 tackle in the NFL last year. Okung drew a dreadful 55.0 score for his pass blocking, though his 79.7 run blocking grade was the 21st best showing in the league in 2016.

This year’s free agent tackle class currently includes Andrew Whitworth, Ricky Wagner, Kelvin Beachum, Riley Reiff, Ryan Clady, and other notable names. It’s not the strongest OT crop I’ve seen, but Okung ranks no better than the third tackle in this group in my estimation.

View Comments (4)