Broncos Set to Trade Away $68 Million Former 1st-Round Gem

Broncos Set to Trade Away $68 Million Former 1st-Round Gem

The Denver Broncos are in a difficult financial situation.

Broncos Set to Trade Away $68 Million Former 1st-Round Gem

Using Spotrac, they are $25.3 million over the salary cap going into the summer.

In addition, they must make a costly choice regarding quarterback Russell Wilson.

However, they can also release a few more high-priced veterans, such left tackle Garett Bolles.

On January 25, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic said, “Moving on from a player like that is not a decision an organization arrives at lightly.”

The consensus here is that the Broncos stand to gain significantly by turning the page at left tackle, both monetarily and in other ways.

“Projection: In a trade close to or during the draft, the Broncos acquire late-round compensation for Bolles.”

Bolles, 31, was chosen by the Broncos in 2017 with the 20th overall pick.

After an injury-shortened 2022 season, he recovered to start all 17 games in the previous campaign.

Nonetheless, he has had a strong career, sitting out just three games before to the 2022 campaign.

After seven seasons, Bolles has never been selected to the Pro Bowl. However, in 2020, the Associated Press selected him for its All-Pro Second Team.

He is in the latter year of a $68 million, four-year contract.

If they leave, the Broncos will have $16 million in cap room to spare.

Instead of letting another club pick up Bolles for nothing, a trade would enable them to recover further assets for the No. 9 pass-blocking tackle in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.

Beat Author Forecasts Broncos Deal Eliminate Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy

Additionally, Kosmider predicted that the 28-year-old Courtland Sutton’s contract will be restructured by the Broncos to enable him to stay with the team. Kosmider does, however, also anticipate Denver dealing Jerry Jeudy.

Kosmider stated, “In this scenario, Jeudy is traded for an early Day 3 draft pick.”

The 24-year-old Jeudy had a turbulent 2023 campaign. On 54 receptions, he gained 758 yards and two touchdowns.

However, the 2020 No. 15 overall choice can be a part of a positional shift.

The Broncos will lose $12.9 million by parting ways with Jeudy, which might encourage them to think twice before facing a slew of dead cap fines.

It might be a different story with Tim Patrick. Due to injury, he has missed the previous two seasons.

After two years on the sidelines, Kosmider said, “this will all come down to an evaluation of Patrick’s health and the team’s determination as to what he could produce.”

“Projection: In an effort to acquire more youth and speed at wide receiver, the Broncos cut Patrick after keeping Sutton.”

NFL Decision Regarding Russell Wilson Awaits Broncos

Much of what the Broncos may wish to do this offseason is clouded by the decision about Wilson.

Moving forward will result in a $85 million cap charge, which they can divide over two seasons. Moving on might also increase Sean Payton’s pressure as head coach.

On January 26, Jeff Diamond of the 33rd Team wrote, “Payton had a rollercoaster season.” Under Payton, Wilson recovered until the final two weeks of the season, when he was benched after recording three interceptions against Houston.

“Wilson could now be traded or released in the offseason, which means Payton will have to find a worthy successor.”

Either way, the Broncos’ offseason should be interesting.

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