The Denver Broncos have under three weeks to make some major decisions about the future of the roster heading into the spring, facing a host of potential cuts and contract extension candidates before the new league year begins on March 9th. With that in mind, here's our list of the 3 Toughest Contract Decisions For The Broncos.
Franchise Tag For Von Miller?
This could be a two-time tag for the Super Bowl 50 MVP and unquestioned defensive superstar. Tagging him in 2016 will cost around $13.5 million, and doing it again in 2017 would cost approximately $16.2 million (per ESPN's Bill Barnwell).
That $29.7 million combined number is about 75% of what Kansas City's Justin Houston will make in 2016-17, and Miller is the superior player and more well-rounded pass rusher.
Denver can still hand Miller a long-term extension and use the tag on someone else, but it seems unlikely. Right now, it looks as if he'll be tagged for 2016 before the two sides hammer out a long-term extension later on.
Finalize Peyton Manning To Brock Osweiler Transition
All respect due to one the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, but Peyton Manning's $21.5 million cap hit is simply unworkable for the 2016 season. That would make him the highest-paid player on the team by $6 million over Demaryius Thomas.
It would be the toughest cut trigger to pull if Manning decides he wants to play one more year, but the law of diminishing returns and a staggering $19 million in potential cap space gives the Broncos no other option.
Use part of that $19 million to lock up Brock Osweiler, and use the rest to sign other key young unrestricted free agents.
Malik Jackson Or Danny Trevathan?
Jackson was a beast as a complement to DeMarcus Ware for the pass rush, but somebody's bound to break the bank on him in a long-term deal if the Broncos can't find some sort of middle ground.
Trevathan has transitioned from sixth-rounder to impact starter, but is he really indispensible if it becomes a Jackson or Trevathan situation?
It's looking more and more like an either/or proposition, and we really have no idea how this will go. Jackson appears to be leaning towards a free agency bidding war, so maybe he'll make the decision for Denver...
(Note: There's also the Demarcus Ware cut question, but we're not buying it...)
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