Broncos Rumors: QBs, Trevathan, Clady, RBs, Davis
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is still undecided about whether to retire or return for his age-40 season, general manager John Elway said at the combine on Thursday (Twitter link via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post).
“He still needs more time, so we’re going to afford him that time,” said Elway, who met with Manning a couple nights ago, per Jhabvala.
Elway and Manning will meet again in a week or two, Lindsay Jones of USA Today tweets.
“The ball is in his court,” Elway said.
Elway also touched on some of the Super Bowl champions’ other key issues Thursday. Let’s dive in…
- The Broncos will not place the franchise tag on Manning’s potential successor, Brock Osweiler, according to Elway (Twitter link Jones). They would like to lock him up to a new deal, though. “We’re really not in a hurry. Brock knows what we have to offer and we still have a great deal of interest in Brock,” Elway stated (Twitter link via Jhabvala).
- Linebacker Danny Trevathan will “probably have to test the market,” Elway said (per Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com). Denver doesn’t seem likely to retain Trevathan, who is in position to cash in after accruing 109 tackles, two picks and ranking as Pro Football Focus’ 10th-best linebacker last season.
- Elway has spent most of his draft prep focusing on the offensive line, he said (Twitter link via Jones). He’ll also meet with offensive tackle Ryan Clady‘s agent on Friday to discuss restructuring his contract, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter). Clady indicated earlier this winter that he’s open to reworking his deal to stay a Bronco. Injuries have plagued the four-time Pro Bowler, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL and has sat out 30 of Denver’s last 48 regular-season games. Clady, 29, is scheduled for cap charges exceeding $10MM in each of the next two seasons.
- In addition to Clady, the Broncos might also attempt to rework edge rusher DeMarcus Ware‘s contract, Legwold writes. Ware is currently set to count $11.67MM against the Broncos’ cap for his age-34 season.
- Running back will be a position the Broncos look at in free agency and the draft, per Elway, who added that C.J. Anderson “had a good year.” On free agent-to-be Ronnie Hillman, Elway stated, “[W]e’ll see what happens” (Twitter links via Jhabvala).
- The Broncos will allow tight end Vernon Davis, whom they acquired from the 49ers last fall, to test the free agent market, according to Elway. “But that’s not to say we don’t want him back,” he added (Twitter link via Renck).
Broncos Optimistic For Long-Term Deal With Von Miller
3:31pm: Speaking this afternoon to reporters, Broncos GM John Elway essentially echoed Rapoport’s report from this morning, suggesting that the team has “exchanged some offers” with Miller and is “very hopeful” about getting something done (Twitter links via Rapoport and Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post).
However, Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (all Twitter links) hears that there have been no “substantive” negotiations yet between the Broncos and Miller (or Osweiler). The team is set to meet tomorrow with the reps for Miller, who is aiming to become the highest-paid defensive player in the league, says Getlin.
There are a couple potential reasons for the apparent discrepancy between Rapoport’s and Getlin’s reports. It’s possible that the Broncos realized after exchanging proposals that the two sides aren’t as far apart as expected, making the team hopeful about getting a deal done, even if negotiations haven’t gotten serious yet. It’s also possible that Rapoport and Getlin are getting accounts from two different sides of the talks — the team may be more optimistic about a deal than Miller’s reps are.
9:33am: The Broncos are “poised to push” for a long-term contract extension for Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). According to Rapoport, the two sides have had talks and there’s optimism that a deal can get done.
Miller, long viewed as the best player on an expiring contract, had another excellent season in 2015, racking up 11 regular-season sacks to go along with four forced fumbles. In the playoffs, the former second overall pick added another five sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception, playing a key role in the team’s Super Bowl win over the Panthers.
Based on Miller’s outstanding play and his importance to the Broncos, there’s no question the team will retain him somehow. Most observers expect the club to use its franchise tag on the standout pass rusher, which would give the two sides another few months to work out a multiyear agreement. If no long-term deal could be reached by July 15th in that scenario, Miller could play the 2016 season on the one-year franchise tag.
As Rapoport suggests (via Twitter), if the Broncos can get a longer-term pact for Miller finalized before the March 1st franchise tag deadline, it would open up the team’s options for quarterback Brock Osweiler. Personally, I’d be surprised if the club franchised Osweiler – who would be in line for a salary of nearly $20MM if he’s tagged – or even Malik Jackson, whose price will be a little more reasonable. But it’s definitely true that locking up Miller would create more flexibility for the Broncos with their other pending free agents.
If the Broncos can sign Miller to a new contract, it’s expected to be a “mega-deal,” per Rapoport. A total value that exceeds J.J. Watt‘s $100MM extension and Justin Houston‘s $101MM pact seems very likely.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFLPA Announces Cap Carryover Amounts
The NFL Players Association issued a press release today announcing the salary cap carryover amounts for all 32 NFL teams for the 2016 season. The official salary cap amount for 2016 has yet to be announced by the league, but it’s expected to be in the neighborhood of $155MM+. When that figures becomes official, it can be added to each team’s carryover amount to determine that club’s official cap for 2016.
According to the press release, the Broncos, Rams, and the Saints are the only teams that opted not to carry over the full amount available to them, though none of those clubs are believed to have left significant amounts on the table.
Here are the salary cap carryover amounts for 2016, per the NFLPA, from highest to lowest:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $32,774,928
- Tennessee Titans: $20,783,801
- Cleveland Browns: $20,734,144
- Oakland Raiders: $13,373,617
- San Francisco 49ers: $12,206,686
- New York Giants: $11,193,231
- Miami Dolphins: $9,137,544
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $7,987,748
- Cincinnati Bengals: $7,587,902
- Philadelphia Eagles: $7,255,362
- Green Bay Packers: $6,953,847
- Washington: $5,837,734
- Indianapolis Colts: $4,950,629
- Buffalo Bills: $4,467,331
- Atlanta Falcons: $3,905,771
- Carolina Panthers: $3,731,200
- Dallas Cowboys: $3,571,239
- Denver Broncos: $3,300,000
- Arizona Cardinals: $3,031,663
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $3,000,327
- Kansas City Chiefs: $2,622,838
- New York Jets: $2,484,216
- San Diego Chargers: $2,287,176
- Minnesota Vikings: $2,090,409
- Houston Texans: $1,637,055
- Baltimore Ravens: $1,633,944
- New Orleans Saints: $1,400,000
- New England Patriots: $1,347,882
- Los Angeles Rams: $933,521
- Chicago Bears: $867,589
- Detroit Lions: $862,191
- Seattle Seahawks: $11,587
NFC Notes: Cowboys, Cruz, RGIII, Cards
With Tony Romo turning 36 this April, the Cowboys may not get a better chance to draft his eventual successor, but their No. 4 overall pick could also be used to address a more immediate need elsewhere on the roster. Speaking to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones acknowledges that the idea of selecting a quarterback is one the team must seriously consider.
“I mean you have to look at it,” Jones said. “You’re not naive to it but if you have the opportunity in this league, in our situation, to get a potential franchise quarterback, then you have to make the investment. You have to have the patience. You sacrifice maybe that opportunity that maybe is impactful right now.”
Let’s round up several more items from across the NFC….
- Speaking to Nina Mandell of of USA Today’s For The Win, wide receiver Victor Cruz speculated that there’s an 80 percent chance he’ll return to the Giants for the 2016 season. While that’s an optimistic estimate, Jordan Raanan of NJ.com tweets that it doesn’t sound like Cruz has been told anything definitive yet by the team.
- In the wake of Washington president Bruce Allen suggesting Robert Griffin III won’t be back with the team, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) identifies the Chiefs, Eagles, 49ers, Broncos, and Cowboys as possible suitors for RGIII.
- Speaking today to reporters at the combine in Indianapolis, Cardinals GM Steve Keim said that he loves Andre Ellington‘s skills, but the running back must show he can consistently stay healthy before Arizona seriously considers locking him up long-term (Twitter link via Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic). As a 2013 draftee, Ellington is extension-eligible for the first time this offseason.
- Former CFL pass rusher Tristan Okpalaugo, who signed with the Cardinals this week, got a $30K signing bonus on his one-year, minimum-salary deal, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
Free Agent Rumors: Okung, Blount, Osweiler
Seahawks tackle Russell Okung, who is venturing into free agency without an agent to negotiate on his behalf, has retained former agent and team executive J.I. Halsell to counsel him on his upcoming contract, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
“I hired a consultant for analytical and support value,” Okung explained to Anderson (Twitter link). “I’ll continue to sit directly at the table in all negotiations.”
Here’s more from around the NFL on current and pending free agents:
- The Patriots and running back LeGarrette Blount have shown mutual interest in working out a new contract, a source tells Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. However, negotiations between the two sides are “in the infant stages,” and Blount could still reach the open market in March.
- Speaking today to reporters, including Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak called quarterback Brock Osweiler “special” and made it clear he wants Osweiler to remain in Denver going forward.
- Bears tight end Zach Miller, eligible for unrestricted free agency next month, is now represented by agent Drew Rosenhaus, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. A report earlier this month suggested Miller is aiming to land $5MM per year on his next deal.
- Former Bears tackle Jermon Bushrod, who became a free agent last week after being cut by Chicago, underwent labrum surgery and is expected to take about four months to fully recover, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). That could put Bushrod’s search for a new team on hold.
- The Jaguars spoke last week to center Stefen Wisniewski, but the team doesn’t anticipate getting anything done with the veteran free-agent-to-be before the new league year begins, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
AFC Notes: Jaguars, Broncos, Dolphins, Canty
Adding a free safety to the mix will be a priority for the Jaguars this offseason, with the team hoping to find stability at the position, writes Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. As I noted when I previewed the Jags’ offseason earlier in the month, the team could use some help at multiple positions in the secondary, but that free safety spot will be a big one.
“We’ve looked at some good players in free agency, and we’re starting the draft process and see some guys out there,” head coach Gus Bradley said. “The whole defense is designed for guys to come in and play at a young age.”
Here are a few more notes of interest from around the AFC:
- Within his latest mailbag, Mike Klis of 9NEWS projects the salary ranges for several of the Broncos‘ pending free agents, suggesting that quarterback Brock Osweiler would probably take a slightly lesser offer to return to Denver rather than accepting more money from a team like the Browns.
- The key question the Dolphins will have to address this offseason is whether the team feels like it’s on the cusp of contention despite a disappointing 2015, or whether a more thorough rebuild is necessary, says Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Salguero hears from multiple high-ranking people within the organization that owner Stephen Ross isn’t necessarily in win-now mode, and that he prefers to build a roster that can enjoy sustained success.
- The Ravens have been negotiating with a few of their free-agents-to-be in hopes of keeping them from hitting the open market, sources tell Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Zrebiec explores that subject and a handful of others in his latest look at the Ravens’ offseason plans.
- Ravens defensive end Chris Canty isn’t ready to retire at age 33, as Clifton Brown of CSNMidAtlantic.com writes. Canty is under contract for next season with the Ravens, so we should soon find out whether he’s still in the team’s plans, or whether he’ll become a cap casualty.
Latest On Broncos, Malik Jackson
The Broncos have offered Malik Jackson a deal worth more than $10MM per season, according to Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post. The Broncos badly want to keep their top-ranked defense in tact and they don’t want Jackson to test the waters on March 7th. 
Denver, of course, has already committed a large sum to its other defensive end, as it agreed to a four-year, $36.75MM extension with Derek Wolfe last month. The 26-year-old Jackson is surely looking to match, or perhaps top, that figure, and given the recent deals handed out 3-4 defensive ends, he should be able to cash out on the open market. With his new deal, Wolfe became the seventh 3-4 DE to top the $9MM/per year mark, a list that includes Mike Daniels, Corey Liuget, and Cameron Jordan — all of whom signed extensions in the past year — and Jackson appears poised to top that AAV.
Recently, when asked about the idea of testing the free agent market, Jackson indicated that he might be willing to take a slight hometown discount to stay in Denver:
“In talking to my agent, I got a pretty good idea of what my worth is. But I would like to see — because you never know — just to see the numbers. But if Denver came with quality numbers close to what we feel I deserve, then I would stay.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Broncos To Open Talks With Brock Osweiler
The Broncos will meet with representatives for the majority of their own unrestricted free agents this week at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, according to Mike Klis of 9NEWS. The “most significant” of those discussions involves quarterback Brock Osweiler, with whom the Broncos have yet to open negotiations about a new contract, says Klis.
In addition to talking to Osweiler’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, the Broncos will also speak to Joby Branion and Jack Scharf, the reps for Von Miller and Malik Jackson, respectively. Per Klis, there haven’t been many discussions so far with Branion, since it’s becoming a foregone conclusion the Broncos will use their franchise tag on Miller. However, negotiations with Scharf about Jackson have gotten somewhat serious.
[RELATED: Broncos attempting to re-sign Malik Jackson]
While Osweiler, Miller, and Jackson represent the top tier of Denver free agents, the team will make time at this week’s combine to meet with the agents for other free-agents-to-be. Klis expects the Broncos to be the most serious about attempting to lock up wide receiver Jordan Norwood, linebacker Danny Trevathan, and offensive tackle Ryan Harris.
Here are a few more brief Broncos items:
- The Broncos have nothing going on right now in talks with free agents Harris, David Bruton, and Omar Bolden, tweets Troy Renck of The Denver Post. Renck says that all three players have earned the right to start, suggesting they may have to look elsewhere for that opportunity.
- Offensive guard Evan Mathis told Renck (Twitter link) that he would be open to playing for the Broncos in 2016 if he decides to continue his career.
- The Broncos completed a little offseason work on Monday by picking up former first-round defensive lineman Phil Taylor and re-signing blocking tight end Richard Gordon.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Minor NFL Transactions: 2/22/16
Here are today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves:
- The 49ers cut tight end Brian Leonhardt, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). The 49ers were expected to cut a tight end following the addition of Garrett Celek.
- The Broncos re-signed blocking tight end Richard Gordon, according to Mike Klis of 9NEWS (on Twitter). Gordon was on the team’s 53-man roster for five weeks last year and dressed only once.
- The Steelers signed Roy Philon, per Wilson (on Twitter). Philon, a defensive tackle, has a rep for being able to move well for a player of his size.
- The Dolphins cut defensive back Dax Swanson, according to Wilson (on Twitter). Swanson’s stay in Miami was brief as he was signed to a futures deal roughly six weeks ago. Swanson had several taxi squad stints around the league in 2015, including multiple turns with the Dolphins.
- The Browns cut running back Luke Lundy, Wilson tweets.
Broncos To Sign Phil Taylor
The Broncos have signed defensive tackle Phil Taylor, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Taylor was cut by Cleveland in September of last year but never hooked on with another club in the 2015 season. Now, he could be a potential fill-in for Malik Jackson if the Broncos defensive lineman leaves the team in free agency.
A first-round pick in 2011, Taylor was cut by the Browns at his request before the 2015 season when it became clear that Danny Shelton would be the club’s starting nose tackle. Taylor did not find an NFL home after that, though he did get glances from the Steelers, Ravens, and Vikings. In December, he worked out for Denver and he apparently made a good impression on the team.
Had he stayed in Cleveland for the season, Taylor would have earned $5.477MM in salary. Instead, he accepted a three-week injury settlement, which works out to a $966,529 payment. Fiscally, Taylor’s decision did not work out to his benefit.
Taylor, 28, was a starter on defense for Cleveland in 2013, but only played 555 defensive snaps, serving primarily as a run stopper. While he wasn’t a full-time player, Taylor’s performance against the run still placed him a solid 26th among 69 qualified defensive tackles, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. He then played just 133 snaps in 2014 before being sidelined with a knee injury.
Taylor was the Browns’ last remaining player from the Julio Jones trade with the Falcons several years ago. After his release, the Browns had nothing to show for that deal.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.