The Denver Broncos have been one of the most consistent contenders in the National Football League over the past four seasons. Denver is one of only two teams to win its division in all of those campaigns, sharing that distinction with the New England Patriots.
However, only once did the Broncos even advance to the AFC Championship game. In that season, Denver made it to Super Bowl XLVIII before being waxed by the Seattle Seahawks 43-8. Following a disappointing one-and-done this year in the Divisional round at the hands of Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts, the Broncos are left searching for answers.
The offseason begins only with more questions, though. Denver has a litany of highly regarded free agents including wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker, tight end Julius Thomas, guard Orlando Franklin, center Will Montgomery and defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. General manager John Elway will have to be somewhat creative, having approximately $26 million of cap space, according to Over The Cap.
So what are the Broncos going to do this offseason? For starters, there are not any players which can be cap casualties, with Denver’s contract situations pretty air-tight. Of the aforementioned $26 million available to Elway, set aside $5 million for draft picks. Let’s also assume Welker is gone after a terrible year.
The key to this offseason for the Broncos is Demaryius Thomas. No receiver in the league has amassed more yardage than Thomas over the past three seasons, with the former Georgia Tech star totaling 4,483 to go with 35 touchdowns. Thomas will certainly be back in orange and blue come 2015, but the question is in what capacity.
If Denver can work out a long-term deal with Thomas, the contract will likely be structured so that the first-year cap hit is relatively low. If the Broncos and Thomas can come to terms, expect it to be around six years and $100 million with half that money guaranteed. The average is a touch over $16 million per year, but the initial cap hit could be approximately $7 million if written a certain way.
If Thomas is given a franchise tag, he will eat up $13 million of the available cap space. With only $8 million remaining, there would be virtually no chance Denver can keep more than one, perhaps two (if Montgomery is one) of its free agents.
Odds are, Julius Thomas and Terrance Knighton will be gone. Thomas has reportedly made it known he has no interest in a hometown discount and Knighton loves former defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, now the head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Don’t be surprised if both end up in the Bay Area.
Franklin could be brought back if the price is right and the cap room is there. The hulking lineman’s future is very much dependent on whether or not Elway and Demaryius Thomas can find common ground on a long-term contract.
With Peyton Manning turning 39 years old in March, Denver’s window is closing. Can they make one more run?
