MAY 31: Fleming will be tied to a deal worth $2.1MM in base value, 9News’ Mike Klis notes, adding that the veteran tackle’s third Broncos contract will include $850K guaranteed (Twitter link). Fleming will count $2.35MM on Denver’s 2023 cap sheet.
MAY 23: Right tackle continuity has eluded the Broncos for over a decade, and they will have a different Week 1 starter (Mike McGlinchey, barring an injury) for an 11th straight season. But a steady option at that position is on his way back to town.
Denver is re-signing Cameron Fleming, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The sides agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $4MM on Tuesday. Fleming has made 19 starts for the Broncos over the past two years. With McGlinchey in the fold, the well-traveled veteran will be positioned to be Denver’s swingman. Fleming met with both the Jaguars and Dolphins in April, but each team made moves during or after the draft.
McGlinchey signed a five-year, $87.5MM deal to stop the Broncos’ revolving door at right tackle. With the practical guarantees on the ex-49er’s deal surpassing $52MM, the former first-round pick is on track to be Denver’s right-side starter for the foreseeable future. But the team entered the week without four of its tackle regulars from 2022. Billy Turner signed with the Jets, while Calvin Anderson joined the Patriots. Tom Compton, who saw injuries allow him little time as a Bronco, is a free agent. Fleming’s return certainly gives the Broncos better depth.
Fleming played both right and left tackle for the Broncos, who lost longtime left tackle Garett Bolles to a broken leg in Week 5. Injuries besieged the Broncos’ Russell Wilson protection crew last season, with Bolles, Turner, Compton and center Lloyd Cushenberry missing large chunks of the campaign. This made Fleming valuable. He suited up for 15 games and started all 15. Tuesday’s agreement will give the journeyman an opportunity to play a 10th NFL season.
The Broncos initially signed Fleming once well-paid right tackle Ja’Wuan James suffered an offsite injury during the 2021 offseason, when the NFLPA lobbied to nix voluntary workouts at team facilities. As a result, the Broncos cut James with a non-football injury designation. Fleming lost the right tackle competition to Bobby Massie, but the latter was not retained last season. Denver brought in ex-Nathaniel Hackett Packers charge Turner, but he missed nine games due to injury.
Pro Football Focus viewed Fleming as a solid option last season, ranking him just inside the top 30 at tackle. His work at both positions last season makes for an ideal swing option. Fleming has played the swing role previously, working in that capacity for the Patriots and Cowboys. He operated as a full-time Giants right tackle starter in 2020, leading to the Broncos accord. The former fourth-round Pats pick has 61 starts on his resume.
Fleming, 30, stands to bridge the gap between Denver’s experienced Bolles-McGlinchey starter tandem and a cast of unseasoned backups. Isaiah Prince, who missed all of the 2020 and ’22 seasons, and Christian DiLauro (five career games) reside as the other swing options in Denver.