Broncos Haven’t Yet Asked Mark Sanchez To Accept Pay Cut
The Broncos haven’t asked quarterback Mark Sanchez to accept a pay cut as of yet, reports Troy Renck of Denver7. However, the idea of doing so has “surfaced as a possibility,” according to Renck.
[RELATED: Broncos Shopping Punter Britton Colquitt]
Although Denver hasn’t yet announced its starting quarterback, it’s become apparent that Trevor Siemian will be under center when the Broncos open the season in Week 1. As such, it’s unlikely that Sanchez is a fit for the Denver roster unless he’s the backup signal-caller. With first-round pick Paxton Lynch pushing him for that role, Sanchez could soon find himself released, as his cap hit isn’t palatable for a No. 3 QB.
While Siemian is only due to earn a minimum salary during the upcoming season, Sanchez is scheduled to count $4.5MM on Denvers’ salary cap, $1MM of which is guaranteed. Sanchez can also earn another $3MM through incentives, but the Broncos could clear $3.5MM off their books by releasing him before the start of the season.
Sanchez is likely to accept any pay cut overture, according to Mike Klis of 9NEWS, who notes that no outside quarterback option would be more familiar with head coach Gary Kubiak‘s system. Other scenarios include outright release or a trade, and Klis lists the Cowboys and Seahawks as potential suitors. A deal is unlikely however, because an acquiring club would not only have to take on Sanchez’s salary, but ship a seventh-round pick to the Eagles as a condition of the trade that originally sent Sanchez to Denver.
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Packers Waive Ed Williams
- The Broncos have waived wide receiver Nathan Palmer, Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post tweets.
Broncos Shopping Britton Colquitt
6:39pm: The Broncos are now gauging trade interest in Colquitt, according to Klis, who lists the Vikings, Cardinals, Panthers, and Bears as plausible suitors for Colquitt.
5:56pm: The Broncos have asked punter Britton Colquitt to accept a pay cut, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. Vic Lombardi of Altitude Sports (Twitter link) was the first to report that Denver was discussing a restructure with Colquitt.
[RELATED — Gary Kubiak: Experience will have “zero” impact on Broncos’ QB competition]
Colquitt, 31, is scheduled to earn a $3.75MM base salary, and will count $4MM against the Broncos’ salary cap. If Colquitt refuses a pay decrease and is released, Denver would take on $750K in dead money on its 2016 cap. For what it’s worth, Colquitt told Lombardi (Twitter link) that expects the Broncos to cut either him or sixth-round rookie Riley Dixon today or tomorrow, as Colquitt doesn’t think the club would carry two punters into the final preseason game.
Colquitt didn’t play in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Rams, as the Broncos told him before the contest that Dixon would handle punt and holding duties. “Usually they tell you a little sooner but I knew all week that could be a possibility,’’ Colquitt told Mike Klis of 9NEWS. “I’ve only punted six times (in the first two preseason games), he had only punted five times. You can’t take a chance on somebody if you haven’t seen him punt. I had a feeling that would probably happen, which is fine.’’
After accepting a pay cut prior to last season and lowering his base salary by about $1.4MM, Colquitt proceeded to appear in all 16 games, averaging 39.7 net yards per punt, good for only 20th in the NFL.
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Siemian Likely Cemented Starting Job, Sanchez Likely Out; Austin's Contract Sets Floor For Sanders
- Trevor Siemian likely cemented his status as the Broncos‘ starting quarterback after turning in a solid performance during last night’s preseason victory over Los Angeles, Mike Klis of 9News.com writes. At this point Klis would be surprised if the Broncos didn’t release Mark Sanchez, a move that would save the team $4.5MM and a seventh-round pick.
- Troy Renck of Denver7 believes that Tavon Austin‘s new four-year, $42MM deal with Los Angeles will set the floor in Emmanuel Sanders‘ contract negotiations with the Broncos (Twitter link). As Renck observes, Sanders is older than Austin, but his production level has thus far been superior.
Latest On Broncos’ Quarterback Competition
In news that could spell more trouble for Mark Sanchez, Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak revealed Thursday that experience will have “zero” impact on how he puts together the team’s depth chart at quarterback.
“I’m looking at what’s taken place the last six months: how they’ve handled themselves, how they’ve handled the team and how they respond to things. That’s what I’m looking at,” said Kubiak (via Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com).
Among Sanchez, Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch, the former is the only Broncos signal-caller with any real NFL experience. Sanchez, whom the Jets chose fifth overall from USC in 2009, has started in 72 of 75 career appearances with New York and Philadelphia. The majority of his appearances haven’t gone particularly well, though, which explains how the Broncos acquired the 29-year-old from the Eagles for a conditional seventh-round pick in the offseason. Sanchez’s track record of uninspired play has carried into Denver, where he has tossed an interception and lost two fumbles in parts of the club’s first two preseason games.
At 17 of 23 for 163 yards and a pick-six in the preseason, Siemian hasn’t exactly resembled an in-his-prime Peyton Manning this summer, either. Nevertheless, Siemian will start the Broncos’ important third exhibition contest against the Rams on Saturday. Siemian, whom the Broncos selected from Northwestern in the seventh round of last year’s draft, didn’t attempt a pass as a rookie, but the 25-year-old’s inexpensiveness could help give him the edge over Sanchez. Siemian is owed a minimum salary this year, while Sanchez is set to earn $4.5MM ($1MM guaranteed). The Broncos would save $3.5MM by releasing Sanchez, and they’d keep the pick they agreed to send to Philadelphia in exchange for his services.
Unlike Sanchez, there’s no chance Lynch is going anywhere. The first-round pick from Memphis has begun garnering some first-team reps lately, according to Legwold. However, the 6-foot-7, 244-pounder remains a work in progress – particularly with respect to calling plays – as Tom Pelissero of USA Today detailed Thursday.
“When I first got here, my head was kind of spinning,” Lynch told Pelissero. “I had the playbook. I was trying to learn everything. But now it’s kind of slowing down and I can come out here and relax and play a little bit. I’m a lot more confident.”
If Kubiak thinks the 22-year-old Lynch is capable of backing up Siemian (assuming he takes the starting job), Sanchez might find himself on the free agent market in short order.
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Mark Sanchez Not A Lock For Broncos’ Roster?
Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak announced that Trevor Siemian will start the club’s third preseason game against the Rams, and that decision could have implications for veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez, as Mike Klis of 9NEWS writes. First-round rookie Paxton Lynch could leap Sanchez to become Denver’s backup signal-caller, and if that happens, Sanchez may not have a spot on the roster, Klis suggests.
[RELATED: Ronnie Hillman may not make Broncos]
“I expected [uncertainty at QB],’’ said Kubiak. “We’ve got three quarterbacks, two of which weren’t on this team last year. One has one regular-season snap. So I knew this was going to take some time and I think it’s a credit to them in how well they’ve battled and pushed each other. It’s down to the nitty gritty here – I don’t have to but I’m going to make a decision next week.’’
Sanchez, whom the Broncos acquired from the Eagles earlier this year in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick, has completed 66% of his passes during the preseason but struggled otherwise, as he’s tossed an interception, lost two fumbles, and been sacked three times. Siemian hasn’t been great either (17-of-23 for 163 yards and a pick-six), but if the competition is considered close between him and Sanchez, salaries could come into play.
As a former seventh-round pick, Siemian is only due to earn a minimum salary during the upcoming, but Sanchez is scheduled to earn $4.5MM, $1MM of which is guaranteed. Sanchez can also earn another $3MM through incentives, but the Broncos could clear $3.5MM off their books by releasing him before the start of the season. If Sanchez is going to be the No. 2 quarterback, his salary is manageable — but if he falls to No. 3, there’s a decent chance Denver isn’t willing to pay the price to keep him around.
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Broncos Waive Sam Carlson
- The Broncos have waived former Colorado State guard Sam Carlson, Mike Klis of 9NEWS tweets. Carlson was removevd from the roster in order to create a spot for Henry Melton, who was signed yesterday.
The Beat: Troy Renck On The Broncos
With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.
Now, we continue the series by discussing the Broncos with Troy Renck of Denver7. You can follow Troy on Twitter @TroyRenck (Note: The conversation took place on Friday, prior to the Broncos’ Saturday’s preseason game against the 49ers).
Zach Links: Is Ronnie Hillman in danger of not making the team? Are you surprised by him being on the roster bubble? 
Troy Renck: Yes, Hillman is in real danger of not making the cut. He is competing against Kapri Bibbs who has kick return ability and it is hard to see both players making it. Bibbs is a more versatile special teams guy than Hillman is and they are really intrigued by Devontae Booker’s potential.
Zach Links: At what point did you realize that Hillman could be a roster casualty?
Troy Renck: As soon as they drafted Booker. Hillman went out into free agency and, unfortunately for him, he played his worst football in the playoffs. That was everyone’s last view of him and when he found a tepid market, he came back to Denver on a cheap deal. In my opinion, they re-signed Hillman to protect themselves in the draft so that they didn’t have to reach for a running back. Luckily for them, they got Booker.
Zach Links: What does Vance Walker’s absence mean for the Broncos? How might they look to fill the void?
Troy Renck: It hurts. He was already the guy filling in for Malik [Jackson] and he’s a really good run stuffer and a versatile guy. They signed Jared Crick and they’re hopeful that he can be an every down guy. It also puts the onus on Darius Kilgo. They need him to step up and provide real depth. Overall, it’s an area of concern for sure.
Broncos Notes: Lynch, Hillman, OL
The quarterback battle rages on in Denver, as Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak hasn’t yet named a starter for the club’s third preseason game, tweets James Palmer of NFL.com. And while Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian have been viewed as the only competitors for the No. 1 job, Paxton Lynch is still a candidate for the starting role. “He’s always been in the mix,” Kubiak told the media, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “I just told you guys that he’s behind the other two from a knowledge standpoint, but we’ve been out there competing every day. Everybody is in competition to play.”
- Kubiak said last week that running back Ronnie Hillman is in a “hell of a battle” with Devontae Booker and Kapri Bibbs and intimated that Hillman might not make the Broncos‘ roster, and Mike Klis of 9NEWS has taken that sentiment a step further, writing that it’d be a “surprise” if Hillman is with Denver come Week 1. Denver has already handed Hillman $600K through a signing bonus and workout bonuses, but Hillman’s $1.4MM base salary is non-guaranteed, and it doesn’t appear the Broncos are likely to pay it.
- The Broncos may need to scour the free agent market for an addition at offensive guard, according to Klis. Darron Weems looked like he was going to be the club’s starter on the right side, but he suffered a concussion during Saturday’s preseason game. Ty Sambrailo is also dealing with an injury of his own, while rookie Connor McGovern isn’t ready to play immediately. One option for Denver might be Ravens lineman Ryan Jensen, per Klis, though it’s unclear whether the 9NEWS scribe is reporting or simply speculating.
Broncos Sign Henry Melton
After working him out earlier today, the Broncos have agreed to sign defensive tackle Henry Melton, as the veteran posted a picture of himself signing a contract at Denver’s facility. There’s no word on the length or financial terms of the deal.
[RELATED: Police still investigating Aqib Talib incident]
Denver had already been reeling from the offseason loss of Malik Jackson, and the man set to replace him, Vance Walker, suffered a torn ACL last week and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. Starting defensive end Derek Wolfe recently rolled his ankle, but apparently not seriously enough to cause any major absence, as he played in last night’s preseason contest against the 49ers. Free agent signee Jared Crick is now set to start opposite Wolfe, but Melton could offer a reserve pass-rushing presence at both end and tackle if signed.
Melton, 29, has settled into more of a rotational role in recent years, and is no longer the dominant interior presence he was during his early career with the Bears. But he still appeared in all 16 games for Tampa Bay last season, playing on roughly half of the Bucs’ defensive snaps. In that time, Melton picked up two sacks, 18 tackles, and recovered two fumbles, but only graded as the league’s No. 101 interior defender among 123 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. The former Texas Longhorn earned an honorable mention on PFR’s May list of the best remaining free agent defenders.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.