There is now a great possibility, if not a likelihood, that Phillip Lindsay will leave the Denver Broncos in this off-season.
According media reports, the Broncos did an original round on Monday – worth US $ 2.133 million for 2021 – on the restricted running back.
This means that the team will have the right of first refusal if Lindsay signs an offer sheet with an outside applicant, but Denver will not receive compensation if the sheet is not matched. (You should remember that the Broncos almost lost CJ Anderson to the Dolphins in 2016 after choosing not to offer it at the second round level.)
Compare that to the $ 3.384 million bid for the second round that would have, at best, given the Broncos a choice in the draft for the second round or, at worst, guaranteed Lindsay’s return next season.
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Twice 1,000 yards behind and ex-Pro Bowler, Lindsay destroyed a 2020 campaign marked by injuries and statistically disappointing, in which the Colorado product collected just 502 yards of soil and a touchdown in 118 attempts (eight games). He added seven receptions for 28 yards, missing the task of capturing passes to veteran Melvin Gordon, who led the Broncos with 1,144 yards of scrimmage and 10 points in total (nine runs).
But Lindsay became increasingly unhappy with his position – or lack thereof – in the organization, publicly expressing his discontent on several occasions in the off-season. Writing presumably on the wall, he hinted at a Denver divorce during an interview on March 10 on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“What else can I do? What else can I show you?” Lindsay replied when asked if he felt wanted.
Assuming Lindsay really is a hopeless case, the Broncos are scheduled to advance the position with Gordon, who still faces potential league discipline because of his arrest for drunk driving last October. (Gordon was cleared of the DUI charges.)
The team also has Royce Freeman under contract until 2021, although the Broncos are now likely to resolve the position in next month’s draft.
Lindsay’s contract change ends on a busy Monday for Broncos’ new general manager, George Paton, who has taken over the defensive side Shelby Harris, brought in cornerback Ronald Darby, refused Kareem Jackson’s security option and offered on second round of RFA linebacker Alexander Johnson and Wide receiver Tim Patrick.
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