LATEST NEWS : Broncos, Fantastic Star To Discuss Fresh Deal

Lloyd Cushenberry is likely to be the Broncos’ top UFA-to-be, but other starting defenders are also set to hit free agency in the coming weeks. One of the team’s defensive regulars is expected to stay.

Although Josey Jewell joined in 2018, he is more closely associated with the current Denver management than many of his teammates. Jewell and Justin Simmons were present when Vance Joseph was the head coach. With Joseph returning as DC, the two cogs brought in to play in his system have retained their value. Denver has Simmons under contract, and the team is also looking into another Jewell deal.

According to Mike Klis of 9News, the Broncos want to speak with Jewell’s camp during the Combine. Jewell signed a two-year, $11 million contract this past season, serving as a regular starter with Alex Singleton. Jewell, Simmons, and Courtland Sutton are the only players left from Joseph’s HC stint. The Combine runs from February 26 until March 4. The Broncos have exclusive bargaining rights with Jewell until the legal tampering period begins March 11.

[RELATED: Broncos Likely To Adjust Justin Simmons’ Contract]

Since the Jewell-Singleton combo was founded in 2022, Denver’s linebackers have performed admirably. Despite Singleton’s impressive tackle total, Pro Football Focus considers Jewell to be more consistent. Jewell had a diverse season that helped the Broncos’ defense rebound from a poor start, amassing 108 tackles, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Jewell was ranked just outside the top 40 by PFF, while Singleton was ranked outside the top 55 despite having 177 tackles, the seventh-most by any player in a season in the twenty-first century. Singleton has signed to a three-year, $18 million deal.

The Broncos took advantage of what has become a limited market at ILB last season, signing Jewell and Singleton to reasonable salaries. Given the number of linebackers that inked contracts worth $5-$8 million per year in 2023, it would be surprising if Jewell, 29, had a considerably more lucrative deal this time around. The previous fourth-round pick should retain some value as a consistent starter.

Despite losing mainstays Brandon Marshall and Alexander Johnson during Jewell’s tenure, the Broncos have kept the Iowa alum as a starter. Denver selected Drew Sanders in the

Sean Payton was clearly open to restructuring contracts to create cap room in New Orleans, and his new team will most likely follow suit soon. The Broncos are more than $24 million over the anticipated 2024 limit, and removing Russell Wilson will not free up any money, as his $35.4 million base contract is already guaranteed.

On the contract front, ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold reports that $2MM of Sutton’s 2024 base salary ($13MM) becomes guaranteed on March 17. This offers the Broncos a time to consider a move.

While the 28-year-old wide receiver was by far the team’s most productive pass catcher last season, his contract until 2025 is currently non-guaranteed. Jerry

In contrast, Jeudy’s $12.99 million fifth-year option is fully guaranteed. The Broncos are rumored to be considering transferring one of their top two wide receivers, and they also have Tim Patrick’s $10 million-per-year contract as a weapon for creating salary space. Patrick, who has missed the past two seasons due to injury, is due a nonguaranteed basic salary of $9.5 million this year.