The year 2021 in the NFL league officially started at 2 pm MT on Wednesday, which gives us a chance to take stock of the Broncos’ squad.
The following is a review of the Broncos’ signings and other changes related to the squad since the legal adulteration period began on Monday.
Accepted terms with DL Shelby Harris
The Broncos agreed to a deal with striker Shelby Harris on a three-year contract that will keep him in Denver until 2023.
“Shelby sets the tone for our defensive line,” said general manager George Paton. “As a passive striker and disruptive physical racing defender, he is difficult to deal with up front. We are excited to have Shelby back with the Broncos.”
Harris, who has spent the past four seasons with the Broncos, posted 2.5 sacks, 32 tackles, 11 quarterback hits, four tackles for defeat, seven defending passes and a forced fumble in 11 games. Harris hit 16 passes on the scrimmage line in the past two seasons, which came in first in the NFL.
For more information on Harris’ deal with the Broncos, click here.
Agreed terms with CB Ronald Darby
Denver has now officially agreed to terms with former Washington cornerback Ronald Darby on a three-year contract. The change was reported on Monday and became official when the league’s new year started on Wednesday.
Darby, a former runner-up, started all 16 games for Washington last season and recorded the fifth highest number of passes saved (16) in the NFL.
“We think Ronald had some of the best natural and pure coverage skills in that free agency class,” said Paton. “He has great speed and fits what Vic [Fangio] does it schematically in the racing and passing game. Ronald overcame many adversities to become a very productive 16-game holder for Washington last year. We are thrilled that he is a Bronco and welcomes him to Denver. “
Prior to his stint in Washington, he spent three seasons in Philadelphia, where he won a world championship in 2017.
Darby, a former All-Rookie player in 2015, posted eight career interceptions.
To learn more about Darby’s agreement with the Broncos, click here.
I took the Von Miller team option
On Tuesday, the Broncos announced they would choose linebacker Von Miller’s team option, which will keep him in Denver until the 2021 season.
The former general second choice in 2011 is the all-time leader in the bag franchise, but missed the 2020 season due to an ankle injury. He is due to return in 2021 to play alongside newly formed Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb. The pair recorded a total of 26.5 sacks in their only full season in 2018.
“I totally bought it to be a Coloradoan for life, let alone a Denver Bronco,” Miller wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. “I want to be here forever during the Super Bowl seasons, the losing seasons. I want to be here forever.”
For more information on the team’s decision to choose the Miller option, click here.
Did not exercise the option of Kareem Jackson’s team
The Broncos did not exercise the security option of Kareem Jackson’s team until the March 16 deadline, which means that Jackson is officially a free agent.
A two-year holder in Denver, Jackson started 29 of a potential 32 games for the Broncos, while developing the reputation of a great hitter in the team’s defensive field.
His brilliant first-year moments were against the Chargers and the Texans. In Los Angeles, he forced a goal-line fumble that helped the Broncos avoid a goal and later win their first win of the year. Later that season, on his return to Houston, Jackson won the honors of AFC Defensive Player of the Week by posting 11 tackles, a tackle for defeat, an interception, three pass separations and a fumble return for a touchdown. Jackson was named a replacement for the Pro Bowl after the season.
Jackson returned to the field in 2020 and again made his presence felt. He scored seven games with at least five solo tackles and posted four more pass separations and two more fumble recoveries. Jackson played almost every snap while combining to form one of the best safety pairs in the league alongside Justin Simmons.
He put second-round proposals on Tim Patrick and Alexander Johnson
Denver made second-round offers to wide receiver Tim Patrick and linebacker Alexander Johnson, who were both restricted free agents. Other NFL teams may still offer Patrick or Johnson contracts, but the Broncos would have a chance to respond to any offer sheet. If Denver chose not to match another team’s offer, the Broncos would be given a choice in the second round as compensation.
Denver also made a proposal with the preemptive right to running back Phillip Lindsay. The Broncos would still have the ability to match an offer offered by another team, but would not receive compensation if they chose not to match.
The Broncos also offered exclusive rights to free agents Diontae Spencer, Trey Marshall and Calvin Anderson. Exclusive rights-free agents are not allowed to negotiate with other teams, meaning that the three players will remain under contract with the Broncos until 2021.
Several free agents have not been re-signed or offered by the Broncos. As of 2:00 pm MT, the following Broncos squad players are unrestricted free agents and are no longer under contract with the team:
It is still possible for any of the players above to re-sign with the team.