The Denver Broncos have taken several cost-cutting steps with the start of free agency in less than a week. According to NFL Media, Denver cleared significant cap space on Friday when they released running back Chase Edmonds, cornerback Ronald Darby and guard Graham Glasgow.
The Broncos scooped about $30 million from Cap Space by giving up Darby, Glasgow and Edmunds. According to Spotrac, Denver currently has the seventh-biggest salary cap spot in the NFL.
A member of the 2017 Eagles championship team, Darby played in just 16 games over two seasons for the Broncos. Edmunds, who was traded from Arizona to Denver in the 2022 season, had 125 yards on 26 carries in five games with the Broncos. Glasgow started in 33 games in his three years with the Broncos. He came to Denver after spending his first four NFL seasons with Detroit.
Denver will likely be active in the free hand as it has to replace several players who were starters last season. This group includes safety Kareem Jackson, defensive end Dre’Mont Jones, and offensive linemen Billy Turner and Dalton Risner.
The Broncos’ lack of early picks in the April draft is another reason Denver will likely be leaning on free agency to pad their roster. The Broncos are without first- and second-round picks after giving them to Seattle in last year’s trade for Russell Wilson.
Denver is entering a new era after hiring former Saints head coach Sean Payton, who led New Orleans to the franchise’s only championship in 2009. Though they haven’t made the playoffs since 2015, the Broncos have several talented players on their roster including All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II, safety Justin Simmons, wideouts Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and running back Javonte Williams.
Payton, who has signed a five-year contract with the Broncos, hopes to make history during his time in Denver. It’s history that his mentor, Bill Parcells, almost made it, but wasn’t able to during his Hall of Famer career.
“No coach has ever won a Super Bowl with two different teams,” he said during his opening press conference. via Mike Klis of 9News. “Here we are in 2023; it has never happened. A few coaches have gone to Super Bowls with two teams…but no one has won a Super Bowl with two different teams. I like things like that.”
