Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, left, and head coach Sean Payton walk the sideline during the second half of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Oct. 22, 2023 in Denver. In the process, the Broncos cleared a significant amount of cap space and committed, officially, to using $53 million of it to
This is now a group led by cornerback Pat Surtain II, defensive lineman Zach Allen and others like outside linebacker Baron Browning and Singleton. Familiar names, but also a new look and feel in the locker room.Aside from releasing Simmons rather than trading him or finding a way to extend his deal and lower his cap hit, none of the Broncos’ moves went down as stunners.Draw up a list of the most notable Broncos from the 2023 team.
The first wave of moves on that front played out over the last 10 days. The string of goodbyes and thank-yous on social media is a good reminder that, while sentimentality exists in the NFL, it gets blocked out when making roster decisions.Despite the churn, left tackle Garett Bolles and receivers Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton endure. They’re now the longest-tenured trio of Broncos.
Perhaps the draft will change the equation, either for Denver or another team. Bolles and Patrick are entering the final year of their contracts and the Broncos aren’t meaningfully committed to Sutton in terms of guaranteed money, either.The Broncos have been knee-deep in quarterback evaluation — free agency, trade market and next month’s draft — but have made no moves thus far.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. during warmups before playing the Minnesota Vikings at Empower Field at Mile High Nov. 19, 2023.