Denver Broncos Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Mutual Interest Between Broncos, Melvin Gordon

March 5th, 2022 at 2:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Melvin Gordon arrived in Denver during John Elway‘s final offseason as GM. Despite a rocky tenure and the Broncos changing coaching staffs, the former first-round pick is on the radar to stay.

George Paton said this week he would like to retain Gordon, and the ex-Charger confirmed he has spoken with the second-year GM this offseason. Gordon, 29 in April, would prefer to return for a third Broncos season.

“I have been wanting to come back. I would love to win championship in Denver. I made a lot of great relationships with the guys. I feel like we have a really good team. To leave a talented team and go somewhere else would suck,” Gordon said, via Denver7’s Troy Renck. “It’s a job unfinished, and we need to finish the job.

“I talked with George. We spoke on it. He told me he thinks highly of me. I really like the way he runs things and does things.”

Gordon’s 2020 arrival marginalized Denver native Phillip Lindsay, leading to the latter’s RFA tender being rescinded last year, and his presence minimized Javonte Williams‘ rookie-year role. Gordon was also arrested for DUI in 2020, though the charges were eventually dismissed, and fumbled seven times over the past two seasons — tied for second-most in the NFL in that span.

The Wisconsin alum also topped 900 rushing yards each year, exceeded 4.5 yards per carry in both Denver seasons and totaled 20 touchdowns as a Bronco. His presence almost certainly helped Williams stay fresh in his debut season.

A return likely comes down to Gordon’s market. The Broncos gave him a two-year, $16MM deal previously. Younger free agents like Leonard Fournette, James Conner, Chase Edmonds, Rashaad Penny are also set to hit free agency. While the Broncos running back the Gordon-Williams pairing makes sense to a degree, the team has needs at higher-value spots and is prepared to devote significant funding to a quarterback upgrade. With Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick now on veteran deals, that also stands to eat into money that could go toward a Gordon return. Third-stringer Mike Boone is also under contract for 2022, on a $2.1MM cap number.

Broncos Add Zack Grossi To Offensive Staff

March 3rd, 2022 at 1:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos are adding Zack Grossi as an offensive quality control coach (Twitter link via Thamel). He held a number of titles during a five-year stint with the Buccaneers, including the same position he is taking in Denver. He then moved to the college ranks, working as Hampton University’s QBs coach. Mostly recently, he has been the OC and QBs coach at Southern University.

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John Elway Shifting To Consultant Role With Broncos

March 1st, 2022 at 7:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

John Elway stepped down from his general manager post after the 2020 season but retained a title as the Broncos’ president of football operations. The Hall of Fame quarterback and Super Bowl-winning GM will shift to a new role in 2022.

Elway will serve as an outside consultant to GM George Paton going forward, Mike Klis of 9News notes. Elway signed a five-year extension in 2017, one that made him the NFL’s highest-paid GM at the time, but that deal has now expired.

Late owner Pat Bowlen brought Elway back to the Broncos shortly after the franchise’s ignominious Josh McDaniels stretch, and the team immediately bounced back with five straight AFC West titles and two Super Bowl berths. The team’s fortunes changed after Peyton Manning‘s 2016 retirement, with Elway’s inability to land a successor largely defining his final five seasons as GM. He led the way to hire Paton from the Vikings and will now offer input during the latter’s second offseason leading the front office.

This news comes not long after the Broncos went on the market. Elway, 61, is interested in being part of the team’s next ownership group. Manning has been linked to being part of a separate ownership group.

Broncos Set To Be Aggressive In QB Pursuit

March 1st, 2022 at 1:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

It’s no secret that the Broncos will be in the market for a new quarterback. In his media availability Tuesday, general manager George Paton confirmed that the team will be active in adding a signal caller (video link via Denver7’s Troy Renck).

Paton made it clear how open the team is to exploring all options, something which could be made easier by the fact they have 11 picks in the upcoming draft, starting with the ninth selection. When specifically asked about the current QB situation the team is facing, he reiterated that change could soon be coming.

“It’s the most important position in sports, so we’re always looking”, he said, noting the presence of 2019 second rounder Drew Lock on the roster. “But we’re always looking. And we’re [going to leave] no stone unturned to find that guy. We know we need better play out of the quarterback position, so we’re going to be aggressive”.

Pending free agent Teddy Bridgewater was the team’s starter in 2021 (after winning a training camp competition with Lock), making him the latest in a long line of attempts to find a permanent successor to Peyton Manning. His play, while on par with what the team would’ve expected given his prior stops in the NFL, wasn’t enough to end the team’s playoff drought.

New head coach Nathaniel Hackett is among the reasons Denver has been listed as a potential trade destination for Aaron Rodgers, though Green Bay could still end up being where the reigning MVP plays next year. If not Rodgers, the team could look to acquire a veteran such as Jimmy Garoppolo, or turn to the upcoming draft. On that point, 9News’ Mike Klis tweeted that the team had formal interviews with this year’s QBs on Monday night at the Combine. Given their position in the draft order, Denver could have its pick of the class, which is headlined by the likes of Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell and Malik Willis.

As one of the biggest players in the QB market, the route Denver takes to find someone new under center will dictate much of the rest of the offseason, both in the Mile High City and beyond.

Steelers Reportedly Targeting Winston, Bridgewater, Trubisky At QB

February 28th, 2022 at 1:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers have repeatedly praised Mason Rudolph in public when asked about the team’s quarterback situation. However, they’ve also made it clear they intend to add competition for the starting job this offseason, something which will likely involve being active in free agency. According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, three QBs the team is targeting are Jameis Winston, Teddy Bridgewater and Mitch Trubisky.

Winston, 28, is coming off of his first year as the starter in New Orleans, following an up-and-down five year stint in Tampa Bay and one season as Drew Brees‘ understudy. He won five of his seven starts, throwing 14 touchdowns and three interceptions, but suffered a torn ACL and suffered MCL damage on Halloween which ended his season. The former first overall pick could help New Orleans transition out of the Sean Payton era by coming back on what would, presumably, be a relatively affordable deal for the cash-strapped Saints. It was reported recently that the team could be interested in doing just that.

As for Bridgewater, Denver marked his third team in as many seasons. The former Vikings starter also spent time as the backup in New Orleans, but couldn’t find much success as the No. 1 with the Panthers or Broncos. His numbers in Denver – from completion and touchdown percentage, to yards per attempt and rushing averages – were essentially on par with his career figures. The 29-year-old (whose season also ended on IR, due to a concussion) is the most proven commodity of the three listed, and could be an effective stopgap for the Steelers as they search for a more permanent solution.

Lastly, Trubisky spent the 2021 campaign as Josh Allen‘s backup in Buffalo. Despite a Pro Bowl season in 2018, his second in the league, he will forever be tied to the fact he was taken second overall in 2017 ahead of the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. Without having developed as expected in Chicago, he found himself without a starting gig this past year, and threw only eight pass attempts. Like Winston, though, there is an appetite for the 27-year-old to re-sign with his current team.

As Wilson notes, and had been reported during the Senior Bowl, the Steelers are thought to like Liberty QB Malik Willis. He might have the best physical traits in this year’s class, though he is also said to be the least NFL-ready amongst potential first-rounders. Pairing him with one of these three veterans could add healthy competition to Pittsburgh’s in-house options, and increase their chances of finding Ben Roethlisberger‘s long-term successor.

Broncos Looking To Re-Sign Josey Jewell

February 28th, 2022 at 10:57am CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos have a number of key free agency decisions to make in the coming weeks, including with their linebacker corps. According to Mike Klis of 9News, one key piece the team is looking to re-up is Josey Jewell.

Klis reports that the team will meet with Jewell’s agent at the upcoming Scouting Combine this week. They will be in communication with any number of the team’s other pending free agents as well, but Klis notes that “there is an affinity for Jewell”, so he is likely to be among Denver’s priorities in March.

A fourth-round pick in 2018, Jewell has emerged as a key contributor to the Broncos’ defense. He played a larger role on special teams than defense in his first two campaigns, though he did make 12 starts during that span. In his third year, he took off, starting all 16 contests and recording 113 tackles, two sacks and four pass breakups.

The 27-year-old was limited to just two games in 2021 due to a torn pectoral muscle. However, as Klis writes, “all signs point to Jewell wanting to stay in Denver”, as he remained part of the team’s day-to-day routine even after the injury. If anything, it could drop the cost for any new deal he signs with Denver.

Besides Jewell, other pending free agents (both restricted and unrestricted) in the middle of the Broncos’ defense include Jonas Griffith, Natrez Patrick, Kenny Young, Alexander Johnson, and Micah Kiser. There is plenty of room for overhaul at the position, though it seems at least one member of the linebacker corps could be staying put.

Broncos Add Staffer From College Ranks

February 22nd, 2022 at 7:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nathaniel Hackett‘s first Broncos staff will include Andrew Carter as a defensive quality control coach. Carter spent the past two seasons as a Kansas graduate assistant and had agreed to become Tennessee-Martin’s defensive line coach this offseason. Carter, who also worked as a D-line coach at Hampton and Eastern Illinois, will instead head to Denver for his first NFL gig.

AFC Coaching Notes: Texans, Browns, Bettcher, Ravens, Gould

February 19th, 2022 at 9:45pm CST by Ely Allen

The Texans have hired former Dolphins’ coaching assistant Kenyon Jackson in the position of assistant defensive line coach, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network. Son of former Pro Bowl tight end Keith Jackson, Kenyon played defensive tackle at the University of Illinois under new Texans’ head coach Lovie Smith.

In what is starting to seem like a trend, Smith also hired Dele Harding as a defensive assistant. Harding also played for Smith at Illinois, serving for two years as a team captain at linebacker.

Here are a few more notes on coaching changes in the AFC, starting with a note from the location of this weekend’s NBA All-Star game:

The Browns have hired Jordan Thomas in the role of assistant defensive line coach, according to Wilson. Thomas has coached defensive linemen at San Diego State and spent time at Lamar and Texas A&M University-Kingsville, as well. In addition, the Browns added Jeff Anderson to the staff as a defensive quality control coach.
Staying in the Buckeye State, recent 2021 NFL runner-ups the Bengals have made a move to replace former linebackers coach Al Golden. Golden is headed back to the college coaching ranks to become Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, former NFL defensive coordinator James Bettcher will fill the role. After time as the defensive coordinator for the Cardinals and Giants, Bettcher spent last season as a senior defensive assistant in San Francisco.
Staying in the AFC North, Baltimore brought in former Texans’ offensive line coach Mike Devlin to become the Ravens’ assistant offensive line coach, according to Wilson. Devlin coached big men for the Jets before Houston and at Toledo before that. The Ravens will certainly welcome the help for an offensive line that frequently had quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley scrambling for their lives last year.
Lastly, the Chargers have hired 49ers’ kicker Robbie Gould‘s kid brother Chris Gould. The 36-year-old was a former kicker in the Arena Football League and will be the Chargers’ assistant special teams coach, a role he’s held for the past five seasons for the Broncos. Additionally, the Chargers have hired Brendan Nugent as their new offensive line coach. Last year was Nugent’s first year coaching offensive linemen in the NFL in his seventh year with the Saints. He’ll 17 years of NFL coaching experience to Los Angeles.

Broncos Add ST Coordinator Off Rams' Staff

February 18th, 2022 at 3:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

In addition to making the long-expected Ejiro Evero defensive coordinator hire, the Broncos are plucking two more assistants off the Rams’ staff in the wake of Super Bowl LVI. Dwayne Stukes is coming to Denver to be the team’s special teams coordinator, while Marcus Dixon is leaving Los Angeles for Colorado to be the new Broncos D-line coach. Stukes, 45, spent the 2021 season as the Rams’ assistant ST coordinator. Stukes has experience as an ST coordinator — with the 2011 Buccaneers — and has been an assistant ST coach with the Bears and Giants. Dixon will also be a one-and-done with the Rams, having been hired as their assistant D-line coach last year. Previously, Dixon spent four years as an assistant at Division I-FCS Hampton.

Broncos Prepared To Target Edge Rushers

February 17th, 2022 at 9:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Broncos and Rams executed a mutually beneficial trade, with Von Miller going to Los Angeles and two Day 2 picks going to Denver, Miller’s old team is now in need at outside linebacker.

The Broncos are planning to upgrade that area either through free agency or the draft, according to James Palmer of NFL.com (video link). Denver’s $38MM-plus in cap space sits sixth presently, though this is without a notable quarterback salary on the team’s payroll. Quarterback continues to serve as the team’s top need, as it has for most of the past seven offseasons. But without Miller on the roster, the Broncos are needier at their highest-profile defensive position.

Coming off an injury-marred season that featured zero sacks in seven games, Bradley Chubb is in need of a big contract year. The former top-five pick is Denver’s top edge defender. However, former UDFA Malik Reed has played well; seventh-round rookie Jonathon Cooper also showed flashes off the bench. Midseason trade acquisition Stephen Weatherly is on track for free agency. Denver has its top D-linemen — Shelby Harris and Dre’Mont Jones — under contract for 2022.

The Broncos have not spent much on edge rushers in free agency since signing DeMarcus Ware in 2014. Players at similar points in their careers are expected to be available next month. Chandler Jones, Jason Pierre-Paul and Jadeveon Clowney are among the top free agents-to-be. The Titans should be expected to retain Harold Landry, likely via the franchise tag, while Haason Reddick and Uchenna Nwosu are younger rushers headed to the market. Georgia’s Travon Walker and Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson loom as edges potentially available at No. 9 overall, in the likely event Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux are off the board.

Miller is the most interesting potential target. The future Hall of Famer has spoken glowingly of his former franchise in recent weeks and is now familiar with Denver’s new DC, ex-Rams secondary coach Ejiro Evero. The Broncos and Miller seemed a mismatch at the deadline, with Denver headed toward its sixth straight playoff absence. However, if the Broncos were to fill their years-long quarterback need and raise their contender profile, a veteran like Miller would make more sense on a reunion deal.

Miller, 33 in March, will not come cheap after his late-season Rams run (nine sacks in his final eight games) helped the team to a Super Bowl title. Miller said a Rams return is preferred, but he plans to explore the market as a first-time UFA.

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