A number of key Broncos contributors will be eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason, and Knowshon Moreno is one player the team doesn’t expect to re-sign, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
Moreno, 27, enjoyed a career year in 2013, establishing new personal bests in rushing yards (1038) and rushing touchdowns (10), among other categories. The former 12th overall pick initially had a team option on his contract for 2014, but it was voided, which will give him the opportunity to hit the open market a year early.
According to OverTheCap.com, the Broncos already have more than $122MM in salary commitments on their books for the 2014 season. While Denver can carry over some unused cap space and can clear additional room by shedding a handful of contracts, it will still be tricky for the club to create the flexibility to bring back all its notable free-agents-to-be. Eric Decker, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Zane Beadles are among the other Denver starters eligible for unrestricted free agency.
Assuming the Broncos don’t draft or sign another starting running back to replace Moreno, Montee Ball is the odds-on favorite to assume a larger role in the offense in 2014.