Denver Broncos News & Rumors

Lions Submitted Offer To WR Josh Reynolds

March 31st, 2024 at 9:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Josh Reynolds has spent nearly his entire career as a Jared Goff target, with only a brief Titans tenure interrupting a seven-year run as such. But the quarterback and wide receiver are going their separate ways, with the Broncos signing Reynolds earlier this week.

The Lions viewed Reynolds as a player they wanted back, per GM Brad Holmes, who called re-signing the eighth-year veteran the team’s “Plan A” at the position. But the Broncos came in with a two-year deal that KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes checks in at $9MM in base value. Reynolds’ Denver contract can max out at $14MM, though only $4.25MM is guaranteed, providing the Broncos some flexibility in 2025.

Although the Lions sought another agreement with Reynolds, the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett indicates the team offered the former Rams draftee a below-market contract. The team made that offer at the start of free agency and maintained minimal contact with him in the days that followed. This preceded the Broncos’ second-wave signing, with Reynolds set to join a receiving corps that lost Jerry Jeudy via trade.

It appears the team’s interest included a low price point, with Birkett adding this offer came about because it is expected Reynolds would have been the Lions’ No. 3 wideout in 2024. This points to a bigger role for Jameson Williams, who has seen his January 2022 knee injury and subsequent gambling suspension lead to a slow start. But the 2022 first-rounder flashed at points last season, showing tremendous speed through the air and on the ground.

Williams finished with only 354 receiving yards last season, which began in October due to what turned out to be a five-game gambling ban (after an NFL rule changed shortened it). The Lions already have Amon-Ra St. Brown on the extension radar. With Goff likely set for a big raise this offseason as well, Detroit’s roster complexion changes. That will lead Reynolds, who totaled 608 yards and five touchdown catches, to Colorado, on a slight raise. He played out a two-year, $6MM Lions deal last season.

The Broncos ditched Jeudy’s $12.99MM fifth-year option salary, via trade with the Browns, but still have Courtland Sutton tied to a $13MM 2024 base; the team guaranteed $2MM of that total earlier this month. Unless a Sutton trade happens despite that guarantee vesting, Reynolds will join Tim Patrick and Marvin Mims as complementary Broncos targets. The 6-foot-3 receiver has played an auxiliary role throughout his career, most recently helping a Lions team that had Williams struggle to stay on the field.

QB Michael Penix Jr. Schedules Five Visits

March 29th, 2024 at 6:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

With pre-draft visits in full swing, Michael Penix Jr. is one of several quarterbacks set to take a number of ‘top 30’ visits with interested teams. Details on his immediate future have emerged in the wake of his Pro Day.

Penix is set to meet with the Giants, Falcons, Raiders, Broncos and Steelers, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson. New York, Las Vegas and Denver have been among the teams most closely connected with selecting a passer during next month’s draft. The inclusion of Atlanta and Pittsburgh on that list is certainly noteworthy, however.

The Falcons made perhaps the most impactful move of free agency by signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180MM deal. That move sets the team up with a proven quarterback relative to its other post-Matt Ryan options (albeit one which is aging and coming off an Achilles tear). A long-term investment in a developmental passer would be reasonable, but such a move would likely come after the Falcons’ top pick.

Atlanta is set to select eighth overall, and edge rush remains a notable roster hole at the moment. For that reason, many mocks have linked the team to Alabama’s Dallas Turner, largely regarded as the top member of the 2024 pass rush class. The Falcons’ next selection is No. 43; Penix could very well be off the board by that point, leaving them in search of another Day 2 or 3 QB option.

The Steelers have completely re-built their quarterback room, signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields. The former is set to operate as the starter for 2024, but the latter profiles as the passer with a higher upside over the long term given his age. Both Wilson and Fields are only on the books for one season (provided Fields’ fifth-year option is declined this spring), though the team is believed to have interest in retaining each of them beyond 2024.

Pittsburgh owns the No. 20 pick, which could fall within the early portion of Penix’s range (depending in large part, of course, on where the QBs rated above him are selected). Adding the 2023 Heisman runner-up would give the Steelers an intriguing third option on the depth chart but it would likely prove to be redundant in at least the short term with Wilson and Fields in the fold.

Penix profiles as a wild card in the 2024 quarterback class, having enjoyed a successful stint with Washington which was punctuated by a trip to the national title game. Concerns over his age and lengthy injury history – including two ACL tears – will hurt his draft stock compared to the passers slated to be selected in the top five, but the strong athletic performance he delivered at his Pro Day could certainly help in that regard. Ultimately, Penix’s visits will be a strong determining factor in his eventual landing spots, and several teams will remain worth monitoring as potential destinations.

K’Waun Williams Medically Cleared; CB Drawing Interest

March 29th, 2024 at 4:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

K’Waun Williams missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing multiple ankle surgeries. The veteran corner has therefore not played since his Broncos campaign the year prior, but he is on the radar of NFL teams once again.

Williams first underwent surgery on August 28, and there was initial optimism he would be able to return at some point during the year. By October, however, it became clear that would not be the case, with a follow-up procedure proving to be necessary. Good news has emerged on the medical front in his case.

The 32-year-old received clearance earlier this month, Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reports. That will help his free agent prospects, although Tomasson adds a new Broncos deal will not be taking place. In spite of that, he adds Williams has generated interest from five teams.

Serving as a rotational slot defender in Cleveland to begin his career, Williams took on a larger role during his five-year tenure with the 49ers. The former UDFA logged a career-high defensive snap share of 72% in 2021, and he landed a two-year, $5.2MM Denver deal as a result. The Broncos only had Williams on the field for one season of that pact, though, one in which he recorded 44 tackles, one interception and seven pass deflections.

Williams also posted strong coverage statistics (59.6% completion percentage, 69.3 passer rating allowed) in 2022, underscoring the impact of his absence last season. As a result, it comes as little surprise the Pitt product is on the radar of potential suitors now that he is healthy once again. Still, his age and injury history will no doubt limit him to a short-term deal for the 2024 campaign. It will be interesting to see if he lands an agreement prior to next month’s draft or is forced to wait until teams re-evaluate their secondary setups following the addition of rookies.

Chiefs Sign Rugby Star Louis Rees-Zammit

March 27th, 2024 at 9:32pm CST by Ben Levine

The Chiefs are getting creative as they seek some additional offensive firepower. The team is set to sign rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.

The 23-year-old worked out for the Chiefs earlier this week and impressed the staff. According to Schultz, Rees-Zammit attracted interest from around the NFL, as the rugby wing also visited with the Jets, Browns, and Broncos. Rees-Zammit previously announced that he’d be leaving Gloucester Rugby with the hopes of catching on with the NFL International Player Pathway Program.

In Kansas City, Rees-Zammit will be utilized in a running back/wide receiver hybrid role. The six-foot-three athlete will also be utilized in the return game, with Schultz noting that the NFL’s recent kickoff rule changes could make Rees-Zammit a “significant” addition. Per the new rule, only the kicker and returner can move before the ball hits the ground, a change that the NFL is hoping will reduce high-speed collisions.

Rees-Zammit posted a 4.43-second 40-yard dash time during his pro day last week. He also recorded a 9’7″ broad jump and 29″ vertical jump, per Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report. The rookie certainly possesses the physical attributes to contribute in both the receiving and running game, and he could earn a roster spot on an uncertain Kansas City depth chart.

The Chiefs brought in Marquise Brown to partly solve their WR woes, adding him to a grouping that already includes holdovers like Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, and Kadarius Toney. Rees-Zammit might have an easier path to playing time at the RB position, where the team still hasn’t re-signed Jerick McKinnon. That opens up a third-down role behind Isiah Pacheco, where Rees-Zammit could compete with the likes of La’Mical Perine, Deneric Prince, and Keaontay Ingram.

AFC Contract Details: Titans, Jeudy, Browns, Brown, Bengals, Broncos, Bills, Jets, Texans

March 27th, 2024 at 4:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are contract details from some of the latest deals agreed to around the league.

Calvin Ridley, WR (Titans). Four years, $92MM. In addition to his $20MM signing bonus, Ridley will see his first two base salaries ($4.5MM, $22,5MM) fully guaranteed. If on Tennessee’s roster by Day 5 of the 2025 league year, Ridley will receive a $3.02MM guarantee for his 2026 base salary ($20.24MM), per OverTheCap. If Ridley remains on Tennessee’s roster by Day 5 of the 2026 league year, he will earn a $1MM bonus. This still stands to give the Titans some 2026 flexibility.
Jerry Jeudy, WR (Browns). Three years, $52.5MM. The recently traded wideout’s base value, as expected, checks in lower than the initial numbers. The ex-Denver target will see guarantees into his the deal’s third year, with SI.com’s Albert Breer noting $6MM will be guaranteed for 2026. Jeudy received $41MM guaranteed at signing.
Curtis Samuel, WR (Bills). Three years, $24MM. The Bills are guaranteeing $5MM of Samuel’s $6.91MM 2025 base salary at signing. The entire ’25 base is guaranteed for injury, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Samuel will be due a $1MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2026 league year; his $6.51MM 2026 salary is nonguaranteed.
John Simpson, G (Jets). Two years, $12MM. This number is down a bit from the initial $18MM figure, which is the deal’s max value. Simpson will see $6MM guaranteed, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini notes. The Jets used three void years to spread out the cap hits; the fifth-year guard is on New York’s books at $3.2MM in 2024.
Folorunso Fatukasi, DT (Texans). One year, $5.2MM. The recent Jacksonville cut will receive $4.6MM guaranteed at signing on his Houston pact, Wilson tweets. The Texans tacked two void years onto the veteran nose tackle’s deal.
Trent Brown, T (Bengals). One year, $4.75MM. The veteran tackle will receive $2MM guaranteed, with OverTheCap indicating $1MM will be available in per-game roster bonuses with another $250K in play via a workout bonus. A bonus-laden structure is not new for Brown, who had weight clauses in his most recent two Patriots contracts.
Solomon Thomas, DL (Jets). One year, $3MM. The Jets are guaranteeing the former No. 3 overall pick $2.5MM, Cimini adds.
Mike Edwards, S (Bills). One year, $2.8MM. The former Tampa Bay and Kansas City safety can earn up to $4MM on his Buffalo deal, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan tweets. He is on the Bills’ cap at $2.8MM.
Cody Barton, LB (Broncos). One year, $2.46MM. The Broncos will land the veteran linebacker for more than $1MM cheaper than the Commanders did in 2023. Denver is guaranteeing $2.33MM of the deal, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson.
Desmond King, CB (Texans). One year, $1.8MM. Veteran slot cornerback/return man’s contract can max out at $2.2MM, Wilson tweets.

Broncos To Sign WR Josh Reynolds

March 27th, 2024 at 12:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

After trotting out mostly the same wide receiver group for the past four seasons, the Broncos moved on from Jerry Jeudy to signal a shift under Sean Payton. They are now adding a key piece to Payton’s second Denver roster.

Josh Reynolds is signing with the Broncos, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, who indicates the ex-Lions and Rams wideout agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $14MM. The Ravens were also pursuing Reynolds, hosting him on a visit last week, but he will join Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Marvin Mims in Denver.

The former Rams fourth-rounder transitioned from midseason waiver claim — on a Lions team in need of receiving help during Dan Campbell‘s first season — to regular starter. As Detroit made its climb to the NFC North championship and the Super Bowl LVIII precipice, Reynolds operated as a key Amon-Ra St. Brown sidekick — even as Jameson Williams‘ role expanded. Reynolds finished last season with 40 catches for 608 receiving yards and five touchdowns. The Lions did make an attempt to re-sign Reynolds, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Reynolds, 29, playing for Campbell could make a transition to Payton easier when considering the popular Lions HC spent five years as a Saints assistant. This will, however, mark a transition from Jared Goff, Reynolds’ QB for most of his career. The Rams let Reynolds walk after his rookie deal expired, moving on despite the 6-foot-3 target’s career-high 618 receiving yards in 2020. Los Angeles was carrying then-recent extensions for Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods at that point, and Reynolds signed with the Titans. That fit did not take, with the Lions claiming the Texas A&M alum following a November cut.

The Lions used Reynolds as a key St. Brown complement for two-plus seasons, as an injury and a gambling suspension sidetracked Williams’ NFL start. Even with Williams back in action following his six-game 2023 ban, Reynolds maintained a regular role. That said, he did not eclipse 45 receiving yards after Williams returned to action. While operating mostly as a decoy, Reynolds did resurface with an 80-yard showing in the Lions’ wild-card win over the Rams. Reynolds also caught a touchdown pass in the Lions’ second-round win over the Buccaneers, but he dropped a crucial fourth-down pass against the 49ers in the NFC title game.

While the Reynolds contract’s base value is not yet known, this deal qualifies as more than a flier. It stands to crowd Denver’s receiver group, though Reynolds also represents insurance in case Patrick — he of ACL and Achilles tears in consecutive training camps — is unable to recapture his pre-Russell Wilson-era form. Denver keeping Sutton on the roster as of March 18 guaranteed the seventh-year veteran $2MM of his $13MM 2024 base. That would point to Denver’s 2023 receiving leader sticking around, but the Broncos dangled the former second-round pick in trades last year — nearly sending him to Baltimore — before turning to him as Wilson’s top target. Jeudy recently signed a Browns extension, after being dealt for fifth- and sixth-round picks.

It is not known who exactly will be targeting the Broncos’ receivers in 2024, but the team has its group nearly rounded out a month ahead of the draft.

Broncos Planning To Add Veteran QB

March 27th, 2024 at 9:36am CST by Sam Robinson

A recent report suggested the Broncos would be content with Jarrett Stidham going into Week 1 as the starting quarterback. While that would probably be an unappealing plan for much of the Denver fanbase, the team stood pat as other QB-needy clubs at least added bridge-level options in free agency.

The Broncos did show interest in Sam Darnold, though they are not believed to have made an offer. The Darnold pursuit did provide an indication Sean Payton‘s team wanted to at least give Stidham, who has made four starts over a five-year career, some competition. That could well come via the draft, as the Broncos will need a long-term answer at a lower rate due to the fallout from the Russell Wilson misstep. But the team is also planning to add a veteran arm as well.

“We’re still in the quarterback market,” Broncos GM George Paton said, via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel. “We like ‘Stiddy,’ but we’re going to add. We’re not panicked. We won’t play games for a while. We feel like we’ll add a veteran and we’ll see about the draft.”

Paton said a trade will be an option to add at the position. The Eagles (Kenny Pickett), Cardinals (Desmond Ridder) and Seahawks (Sam Howell) added 2022 QB draftees — all as backup options — via trade this month, while Mac Jones is now Trevor Lawrence‘s Jaguars backup. Most of the bridge-type QBs or high-end backups are off the board. Darnold (Vikings), Jacoby Brissett (Patriots), Marcus Mariota (Commanders), Jimmy Garoppolo (Rams) and Gardner Minshew (Raiders) are out of the mix. This leaves the Broncos short on options.

Denver, which is eating $85MM in dead money over the next two years after cutting Wilson, has options in Ryan Tannehill or Carson Wentz as free agents. The Jets also are still attempting to unload Zach Wilson, and offers are believed to have come in. Wilson’s three-year showing would certainly make him a polarizing option in Denver, even considering his No. 2 overall draft pedigree. The second overall choice five years earlier, Wentz is now 31 and spent much of last year in free agency before closing out the campaign with the Rams. Tannehill saw his five-year Titans run conclude with a midseason benching, as Will Levis took over. The 2012 first-rounder is going into his age-36 season.

The Broncos hold the No. 12 overall pick, and the state of their depth chart will tie them to QBs during the pre-draft process. Team brass already met with J.J. McCarthy during a “30” visit, and NBC Sports’ Dan Patrick said Wednesday morning (video link) Payton’s interest in the Michigan prospect should be monitored. McCarthy’s stock has skyrocketed since the Wolverines’ national championship, with the Commanders now being mentioned as a candidate to take him at No. 2 overall. Even if that proves a bridge too far, the Broncos would need to trade up — to outflank a suddenly better-prepared Vikings team, if nothing else — to land the ex-Jim Harbaugh pupil.

With Payton now 60, it would be somewhat difficult to envision the Broncos going with Stidham and tabling a QB draft investment to 2025. But the team has traded three first-round picks over the previous two years, using the draft capital to acquire Wilson and Payton. If the Broncos are to land one of this draft’s top non-Caleb Williams arms, they will need to be prepared to part with a future first-rounder and more.

It will be interesting to see if the team’s recent trade past impacts how it proceeds in Round 1, as Stidham and a to-be-determined veteran will be on the depth chart before Week 1.

Broncos Host QB J.J. McCarthy; Sean Payton Open To Trading Up

March 25th, 2024 at 10:55am CST by Adam La Rose

Jarrett Stidham is currently in place to serve as the Broncos’ 2024 starting quarterback, but the team is one of many worth monitoring with respect to a move up the board. When speaking at the annual league meetings, head coach Sean Payton confirmed Denver is open to trading up from the No. 12 spot.

“It’s realistic,” Payton said of a trade-up move on the part of the Broncos (via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post). “What’s hard to predict, though, is what’s on the receiving end. It’s good to be [general manager] Monti Ossenfort today at Arizona. It’s hard to predict what that cost is and yet I certainly wouldn’t say it’s unrealistic. We’ll pay close attention to it.”

Ossenfort made it clear last week the Cardinals are open to trading out of the fourth slot; Chargers GM Joe Hortiz has likewise said the No. 5 pick could also be available for the right price. The Broncos will therefore have potential trade partners if they are willing to pay a steep price to move into range for one of the top passers in this year’s class. With only one other pick inside the top 120, however, Denver does not have as much capital available as teams like the Vikings (who now own two first-rounders).

Payton (who was not in attendance for Michigan’s Pro Day) also said on Monday the Broncos hosted quarterback J.J. McCarthy for a private workout one day later. That allowed Denver’s decision-makers to get a close look at the 2023 national champion, who has of course received interest from other teams recently (and has previously been on Denver’s radar). McCarthy has long been seen as a member of the second tier of QB prospects (behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye), but he has increasingly been linked to a top-10 selection, likely by a team moving up the board to draft him.

Set to carry $85MM in dead cap charges owing to the Russell Wilson release, the Broncos need a cost-effective quarterback depth chart in the near future. Stidham is on the books for one year at a $7MM cap figure, but a long-term investment at the position would come as no surprise. Considering Payton’s remarks, Denver will remain one of the more intriguing teams to watch over the coming weeks as more clarity emerges on the price of the fourth and fifth selections and the market which develops amongst teams prepared to move up the order.

LB Josey Jewell To Join Panthers

March 23rd, 2024 at 11:50am CST by Sam Robinson

TODAY, 11:50am: Jewell’s three-year deal will officially be listed as an $18.75MM contract, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. Of that total, $8.125MM is guaranteed, a significant jump on the previously reported $7MM in guarantees. Jewell also earned a $7MM signing bonus.

Jewell will have base salaries of $1.125MM in 2024 (guaranteed), $4.235MM in 2025 ($2MM guaranteed), and $4.55MM in 2026. The linebacker can earn $2MM via annual playing time and playoff escalators, and he’ll have per-game roster bonuses of $45K in 2025 and $50K in 2026.

MARCH 12, 4:00pm: Seeing players on all three defensive levels depart since the legal tampering period began, the Panthers will add a scheme-familiar player for Ejiro Evero in the aftermath of those exits.

Josey Jewell is signing with the Panthers, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. A six-year Bronco who worked as a starter for much of that tenure, Jewell played under Evero during the 2022 season. While the Broncos held discussions with Jewell about a third contract, Sean Payton‘s team will move on.

The Panthers are giving Jewell a three-year deal worth more than $22MM, according to the Denver Post’s Troy Renck. Of that total, more than $7MM is guaranteed. Jewell will be tied to a $22.5MM deal in total, with The Athletic’s Jeff Howe adding $10MM is guaranteed.

The Broncos discussed terms with Jewell’s camp at the Combine, and the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson indicates the team did not give up on a re-signing until the end. But with the Broncos cutting costs, Jewell will join center Lloyd Cushenberry in leaving Colorado. This was the expectation in Denver, which has been much quieter on this year’s market compared to Payton’s first year running the show.

Denver used Jewell and Alex Singleton as its off-ball linebacker starters over the past two seasons; both were attached to veteran deals in 2023, with Jewell at $5.5MM. The AFC West team, in light of the Russell Wilson development, may be aiming to scale back. The Panthers, conversely, are building around a rookie quarterback. That will help Jewell secure more in guarantees compared to his 2022 Denver pact and a raise in AAV.

Jewell played well under Evero and Vance Joseph over the past two seasons, combining for 236 tackles and 5.5 sacks. The former fourth-round pick added four forced fumbles in that span, intercepting two passes and notching seven tackles for loss under Evero in 2022. Pro Football Focus graded Jewell 40th among LBs last season but 27th under Evero two years ago.

The Panthers moved on from Frankie Luvu, seeing him join Jeremy Chinn by committing to the Commanders. Shaq Thompson remains on the Panthers, but the veteran is coming off a season an injury cut short after two games. Plenty will be expected of Jewell, who will turn 30 before season’s end.

Chargers, CB Kristian Fulton Agree To Deal

March 22nd, 2024 at 9:05am CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers hosted Kristian Fulton on a free agent visit earlier this week, and that meeting has produced an agreement. The former Titans cornerback is headed to Los Angeles on a one-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Fulton played out his four-year rookie contract with Tennessee, but 2023 did no go according to plan. The former second-rounder missed time due to a benching as well as a stint on injured reserve, limiting him to 12 contests. He started 11 of those, however, reprising the first-team role he held for much of his time in Nashville. Fulton could provide the Chargers with a low-cost starter in the secondary as a result of this deal.

ESPN’s Turron Davenport reports Fulton declined offers from the Bengals, Broncos and Cardinals before agreeing to this one-year Chargers pact. That could point to a notable financial component of the deal, but in any case it demonstrates the market he commanded despite an up-and-down tenure in Tennessee. The 25-year-old posted four interceptions and 25 pass breakups in 42 Titans games, but he struggled in coverage (114.1 passer rating allowed) last season in particular.

The Chargers moved on from J.C. Jackson midway through the 2023 campaign, while veteran Michael Davis signed with the Commanders in free agency. Those departures left Los Angeles in need of a new first-team option to work alongside Asante Samuel Jr. and Ja’Sir Taylor. Fulton – who saw notable time in the slot as a rookie but has primarily been used on the perimeter since then – will look to lock down a starting spot this offseason.

The LSU alum could help his market value considerably with a healthy and productive stint in Los Angeles. Given his age, a multi-year pact could come his way if 2024 were to include an end to the injury issues which have marred his career so far (Fulton has yet to play more than 13 contests in a campaign). As the Chargers continue to re-tool on both sides of the ball with a new coaching staff and front office in place, the team has taken a flier on an upside addition during the second wave of free agency.

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