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Zach Wilson Zach Wilson Gets fifth-year option declined Wed, May 1, 2024, 10:34 AM The Broncos informed Wilson on Wednesday that they won't exercise his fifth-year team option for 2025, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: Wilson, whom the Jets took with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, joined the Broncos in a trade shortly before April's draft. With Denver not in line to pick up his fifth-year option -- which would have been for a guaranteed $22.4 million -- the 24 year-old will become a free agent next March. For now, Wilson is slated to compete with first-round rookie Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham -- who started Denver's final two games of the 2023 regular season -- for the Week 1 starting assignment. While Nix is presumably viewed as the franchise's long-term answer at quarterback, in the short term, slotting at the position is up for grabs in advance of training camp.
Jarrett Stidham Jarrett Stidham Denver adds QB depth Tue, Apr 30, 2024, 5:12 PM Following the 2024 NFL Draft, Stidham is joined in the Broncos' QB room by newcomer Zach Wilson, along with No. 12 overall pick Bo Nix, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports. Analysis: After the Broncos released Russell Wilson last month, it was inevitable that they would add QB depth to join Stidham, who started Denver's final two contests last season. While Nix is no doubt being groomed as the team's future starter, it remains to be seen if he'll step into that role immediately. Until then, Stidham and Wilson will presumably both have an opportunity to compete for the No. 1 role, but neither veteran signal-caller profiles as a high-value fantasy option in either re-draft or dynasty formats.
Zach Wilson Zach Wilson Traded to Denver Mon, Apr 22, 2024, 1:45 PM The Jets are trading Wilson to the Broncos for a late-round pick swap, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The Jets will give up the 256th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and receive pick No. 203. They'll also hold some of Wilson's salary, with the 24-year-old scheduled for $5.45 million in guaranteed compensation for the final year of his rookie contract. This could give Wilson a shot to compete for a starting job, depending on what the Broncos do in the upcoming draft. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are the other QBs on Denver's roster, with Stidham the favorite to start Week 1 if no early draft pick is added to the room.
Courtland Sutton Courtland Sutton No concern about OTA absence Fri, Apr 19, 2024, 8:36 AM Broncos GM George Paton suggested Thursday that he isn't worried about Sutton's absence from voluntary offseason workouts, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports. "It's 100 percent voluntary," Paton said. "It's the first week of the offseason program. I've talked to Courtland. He's in a good place, and I'll just leave it at that." Analysis: Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Tuesday that Sutton's absence from voluntary OTAs is related to wanting a new contract. The wideout has two years and approximately $27.6 million remaining on his current deal, with only $2 million of that guaranteed. It's not the type of situation with especially high risk for a holdout, and Sutton looks to be especially important for Denver's offense after the team traded WR Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland in the offseason. It's not yet clear who will start across from Sutton at wide receiver, nor is it clear who will get the nod under center Week 1. The Broncos still have a lot to work out this spring and summer, with the upcoming NFL Draft presumably being a piece of that puzzle.
Courtland Sutton Courtland Sutton Not at voluntary OTAs Tue, Apr 16, 2024, 9:28 AM Sutton wants a new contract and hasn't reported to voluntary OTAs, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Sutton has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $60 million extension, scheduled for a $13 million base salary in 2024 ($2 million guaranteed) and then $13.5 million in 2025 (no guarantees). He scored a career-high 10 touchdowns in 16 games last season, though 90 targets were his fewest since 2020 -- the year he suffered an ACL tear Week 1 -- and he still hasn't come close to matching his career-high 1,112 yards from 2019. The 28-year-old won't necessarily hold out from mandatory team activities later this spring, but the situation is at least worth keeping an eye on until he gets an extension or contract adjustment, or otherwise reports to the Broncos. There's been no indication of his Week 18 ankle injury lingering into the offseason, with the main concern at this point being the lack of a starting-caliber QB on Denver's roster. The team also appears thin at wide receiver, where the starting job across from Sutton could end up going to any of Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims, Tim Patrick (Achilles) or Brandon Johnson.
Josh Reynolds Josh Reynolds Joining Denver's WR corps Wed, Mar 27, 2024, 12:32 PM Reynolds agreed Wednesday with the Broncos on a two-year contract, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Analysis: Per Garafolo, Reynolds' deal with Denver is worth a maximum of $14 million. The wideout, who turned 29 years old last month, is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he caught 40 of his 64 targets for 608 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season contests for Detroit. With the Broncos, Reynolds will help fill the void created by the recent trade of Jerry Jeudy to the Browns. Reynolds will have a chance to compete with Tim Patrick (Achilles) and Marvin Mims for targets behind No. 1 wideout Courtland Sutton.
Jarrett Stidham Jarrett Stidham Could compete for QB1 job Mon, Mar 25, 2024, 9:41 AM Coach Sean Payton said Monday that Stidham isn't necessarily in the "driver's seat" but will compete for Denver's starting QB job, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com. Analysis: The broader context of the conversation involved Payton telling reporters that trading up from pick No. 12 to select a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft was a "realistic" option for the Broncos. He mentioned the Cardinals being in a good spot as owners of the No. 4 pick -- perhaps a nod to rumors that teams like the Broncos, Vikings and Raiders are interested in moving up for Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. With Stidham and Ben DiNucci being the only quarterbacks currently on their roster, the Broncos are sure to bring in more competition even if it isn't in the form of an early first-round pick. Other options could include veteran free agents like Ryan Tannehill and Carson Wentz or third-tier draft prospects like Bo Nix and Michael Penix. The 27-year-old Stidham has one season remaining on a two-year, $10 million contract, following a 2023 campaign in which he started two games and completed 40 of 66 passes for 496 yards (60.6 completion rate, 7.5 YPA), with two TDs, one INT, seven sacks and eight rushing yards.
Lil'Jordan Humphrey Lil'Jordan Humphrey Back with Denver on one-year deal Wed, Mar 13, 2024, 12:09 PM Humphrey is re-signing with the Broncos on a one-year contract, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Humphrey had 162 receiving yards and three touchdowns with Denver in 2023. He could have an opportunity to climb the depth chart after the Broncos traded Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland on Saturday, though Humphrey has yet to reach 250 receiving yards in a season since debuting with the Saints in 2019.
Adam Trautman Adam Trautman Back in Denver Tue, Mar 12, 2024, 8:32 PM Trautman has agreed to re-sign with the Broncos on a two-year contract, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports. Analysis: After spending his first three seasons in New Orleans, Trautman finished his first campaign in Denver with 204 yards and three touchdowns on 22 receptions. The 27-year-old projects to again provide depth at tight end in the upcoming season as the No. 2 option behind Greg Dulcich (foot).
Marvin Mims Marvin Mims Stock on rise after Jeudy trade Sat, Mar 9, 2024, 11:49 AM Mims projects to be the team's No. 2 target after Jerry Jeudy was traded to the Browns on Saturday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports. Analysis: Head coach Sean Payton made a point of mentioning his affinity for Mims after the Broncos selected the Oklahoma product in the second round of last year's draft despite not having any obvious need at wide receiver with Courtland Sutton and Jeudy on the roster. That hype quickly faded, as Mims amounted to more of a deep-ball specialist when the aforementioned duo was both healthy, but the soon-to-be 22-year-old will have plenty of time to succeed in the offense this season with Saturday's trade confirmed. Mims' success will obviously depend on who ultimately takes over as the Broncos' next signal caller, but it's unclear if the team will lean toward a rookie or build around one of the few established veterans expected to be on the open market come the new league year.
Chris Manhertz Chris Manhertz Dropped by Denver Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 4:03 PM The Broncos released Manhertz on Friday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports. Analysis: After appearing in 16 of the Broncos' games in 2023, the team has decided to part ways with Manhertz. The veteran tight end has also spent time with Carolina, Jacksonville and New Orleans throughout his eight-year NFL career. He's now set to hit the open market after playing a total of 453 snaps last season (367 offensive and 86 on special teams).
Tim Patrick Tim Patrick Accepts pay cut Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 11:37 AM Patrick (Achilles) and the Broncos have an agreement to alter his contract for 2024, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The first two seasons of Patrick's three-year, $30 million contract were wiped out by severe injuries during training camp -- an ACL tear in 2022 and then a torn Achilles' tendon in 2023. He's now 30 years old and entering the final year of the extension, so he presumably would've been released if he hadn't agreed to lower his $9.5 million base salary for 2024. While never a high-volume pass catcher, Patrick had 742 yards and six TDs on 79 targets in 2020 (64.6 percent catch rate, 14.5 YPC, 9.4 YPT), followed by 734 yards and five TDs on 85 targets in 2021 (62.4 percent, 13.8 YPC, 8.6 YPT).
Russell Wilson Russell Wilson Going to Pittsburgh after Giants visit Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 9:15 AM Wilson is traveling to Pittsburgh on Friday to meet with the Steelers' front office and head coach Mike Tomlin, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Wilson has permission to meet with other teams but can't technically sign a contract until the Broncos release him at the start of the league year (Wednesday). Multiple Pittsburgh beat writers have suggested the Steelers want to give 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett another shot as the starting quarterback, but most of what we've seen from Pickett suggests that even this post-prime version of Wilson would give the team a better chance to win in 2024. An offset in Wilson's Denver contract means he has no incentive to maximize his 2024 pay from a new team, so he'll likely choose his next destination based on some combination of likelihood to start, chances of making a playoff run and post-2024 compensation. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Wilson already had an "exploratory meeting" with the Giants earlier this week.
Russell Wilson Russell Wilson Expected to meet with Steelers Thu, Mar 7, 2024, 11:07 AM The Steelers are "tentatively planning" to meet with Wilson before the start of free agency, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Analysis: The Broncos have given Wilson permission to talk with other teams even though he won't be released until March 13, the start of the 2024 league year. While previous reports out of Pittsburgh suggested the Steelers were ready to move forward with Kenny Pickett and maybe Mason Rudolph as their quarterbacks, the upcoming meeting with Wilson suggests there's at least some level of interest in bringing in a new starter. The decision may end up coming down to financials more so than confidence (or lack thereof) in Pickett. If nothing gets done in Pittsburgh, other potential suitors for Wilson could include the Raiders and Falcons.
Russell Wilson Russell Wilson Broncos officially moving on Mon, Mar 4, 2024, 3:29 PM Denver announced Monday that Wilson has been informed he will be released by the team after the NFL's new league year begins March 13. Analysis: Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Wilson's release will save the Broncos an extra $37 million in guaranteed money, while Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com notes that the team will still need to endure an NFL-record $85 million in dead cap over the next two years. Those financial ramifications highlight the extent to which Wilson's two-year stint in Denver was characterized by disappointment. The veteran ended the 2023 campaign with 297 completions on 447 pass attempts for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 15 games, numbers which may have seemed merely mediocre were it not for his sizable salary compensation and the valuable draft picks the Broncos parted ways with for his acquisition from Seattle. When free agency officially begins, Wilson will get a chance to search for a fresh start elsewhere, while coach Sean Payton and Denver once again will have to start anew at the quarterback position.
Jalen Virgil Jalen Virgil Ready to compete again Thu, Feb 29, 2024, 4:07 PM Virgil is fully recovered from surgery to repair a torn meniscus suffered in the Broncos' second preseason game last year and which forced him to miss the 2023 campaign, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports. Analysis: Virgil had to spend the entirety of last season on IR after a 2022 rookie campaign that saw him appear in nine games and record two catches on five targets for 75 yards, while also seeing work in the return game on special teams. According to Tomasson, the 25-year-old is eagerly awaiting spring drills in April, where he'll work to start carving out a regular role for himself in Denver.
Russell Wilson Russell Wilson Decision coming within two weeks Tue, Feb 27, 2024, 10:13 AM Coach Sean Payton said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that a decision on Wilson's future with the Broncos will come "in the next two weeks," Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports. Analysis: Wilson may realistically be released before the start of the new league year March 13, but Payton's comments suggest that a decision on the veteran's future in Denver won't come down to the wire of that deadline. If Wilson is released, the Broncos will eat a massive $85 million dead-money cap hit, but the size of his contract likely eliminates the possibility of a trade. Payton also referenced the Broncos' recent history of QB woes, stating "our job is to make sure this next one doesn't have a line through it," per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. While it doesn't seem like a final decision of Wilson's future has yet been made, the fact that Payton is already thinking about the "next one" under center could be read as a strong hint that the former Seahawk's release is imminent.
Tim Patrick Tim Patrick Possible cap casualty Tue, Feb 20, 2024, 4:03 PM Patrick (Achilles) is a strong candidate to be released this offseason, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Patrick has twice suffered season-ending injuries in training camp since signing a three-year, $30 million contract in Nov. 2021. He's now entering the final year of the deal and has a non-guaranteed $9.5 million base salary for what will be his age-30/31 season. It is possible Patrick accepts a pay cut to stay in Denver and attempt his return from the torn Achilles' tendon he suffered in August.
Marvin Mims Marvin Mims Finishes underwhelming rookie year Thu, Feb 1, 2024, 7:27 AM Mims ended the 2023 regular season with 22 receptions on 33 targets for 377 yards and one touchdown in 16 games. He added nine rushes for 30 yards and scored one kick return touchdown. Analysis: Mims entered the 2023 campaign with expectations of being a contributor in Denver's offense, yet his rookie season was mostly underwhelming. Behind both Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy on the depth chart, the 21-year-old wideout often found himself competing for playing time with Brandon Johnson and Lil'Jordan Humphrey for the third receiver spot. When teammate Tim Patrick (Achilles) landed on injured reserve in training camp, many assumed that Mims could establish himself early on, but Denver's coaching staff was committed to easing him into the offense. The Oklahoma product flashed his speed and playmaking ability in his limited opportunities, so its possible that he could be a larger part of the Broncos' offensive plans in 2024. What remains to be seen is who will be throwing him the ball, as the team is expected to part ways with Russell Wilson in the offseason.
Jaleel McLaughlin Jaleel McLaughlin Averages 5.4 YPC in rookie year Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 2:50 PM McLaughlin (head) finished his rookie season with 76 carries for 410 yards and one touchdown, as well as 31 catches on 36 targets for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Analysis: Carving out playing time wasn't easy in a backfield that also included Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, but the 5-foot-7 McLaughlin racked up at least six touches in 11 of his last 14 games and was on his way to reaching that benchmark again in Week 18 before a head injury knocked him out of the season finale against the Raiders. McLaughlin led the team in yards per carry with 5.4, and his strong rookie season could earn McLaughlin a larger role in 2024 after he recovers from his head injury in the offseason.