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Minor NFL Transactions: 6/20/24

June 20th, 2024 at 6:41pm CST by Ely Allen

Thursday’s minor NFL transactions:

Denver Broncos

  • Waived: LB Alec Mock

Jacksonville Jaguars

Today’s minor moves are the side effects of recent signings by both teams. The Broncos needed to make room after signing recent UFL champion linebacker Dondrea Tillman. Mock, one of this year’s class of undrafted free agents, finds himself off the roster as a result. The Air Force-product will still have the option to sign with another squad this summer.

McGowan’s release comes as a result of today’s signing of Denzel Mims. The WR corps in Jacksonville will have quite a different look, besides Christian Kirk and a few other faces, but it’s quickly gotten crowded with the addition of Mims, pushing out McGowan, who signed just six days ago.

Broncos’ Riley Moss ‘Firmly In Mix’ To Start

June 20th, 2024 at 6:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos have identified a star cornerback in Patrick Surtain; the fourth-year player is a clear extension candidate. Last season also featured the emergence of slot defender Ja’Quan McMillian. With two regular spots locked down, Denver will still go into training camp with uncertainty at the position.

After Week 1 starter Damarri Mathis did not pan out in DC Vance Joseph‘s first season back with the team, the Broncos received better play from replacement Fabian Moreau. The latter is no longer on the roster, opening the door to a CB2 battle featuring a host of players. While none appears a true frontrunner, the team’s investment in Riley Moss remains notable.

Denver sent Seattle a 2024 third-round pick to trade up for the Iowa corner in the 2023 third round, but an offseason injury — requiring sports hernia surgery — sidetracked the rookie’s season. Moss played only 23 defensive snaps last year, but he is a clear candidate to man the boundary spot opposite Surtain. Moss is “firmly in the mix” for the job, per the Denver Post’s Troy Renck, with colleague Parker Gabriel indicating the second-year CB will be given every chance to land the gig after an impressive offseason.

Moss’ primary competitors appear to be Mathis and free agency addition Levi Wallace. Mathis replaced an injured Ronald Darby in Denver’s lineup early in the 2022 season but could not sustain his momentum last year. The former fourth-round pick did not exceed nine defensive snaps in any game following his Week 7 benching, playing zero snaps in six of the team’s final seven contests.

Wallace, who turned 29 last week, spent the past two seasons with the Steelers. An ex-Bills starter, Wallace also saw his role change in-season. The former UDFA shifted to a backup role midseason and did not return to starter duty until injuries affected Pittsburgh’s depth chart in late December. Pro Football Focus rated Wallace 88th among CBs last season, and despite a reduced workload, the six-year veteran allowed six touchdown passes as the closest defender.

The Broncos will give the 6-foot defender a chance to bounce back, though they only authorized a one-year deal worth $1.29MM ($668K guaranteed). Denver also drafted Missouri’s Kris Abrams-Draine in the fifth round, but he may not be thrown into the mix immediately.

The team’s positional makeup ahead of camp points to Moss being the preferred option. He was drafted under Sean Payton — whereas Mathis arrived during the Nathaniel Hackett-Ejiro Evero year — to play in Joseph’s scheme. The Broncos moved up 25 draft slots to acquire Moss, giving up one of their 2024 third-round picks — they received another from the Saints in the swap for Payton’s rights — to obtain him.

A former Iowa high school 110-meter hurdles champion, Moss moved from two-star recruit to Hawkeyes regular. The 6-foot defender intercepted 11 passes in his five college seasons, playing alongside Eagles second-round pick Cooper DeJean. Moss earned first-team All-Big Ten acclaim in 2021 and ’22.

Moss will obviously be attempting to break norms as a white NFL cornerback; no team has started a white corner since the Bengals’ Kevin Kaesviharn in 2003, Renck adds. Kaesviharn moved to safety soon after, spending much of his nine-year career there. Jason Sehorn, a Giants starter from 1996-2002, resides as the NFL’s last long-term white CB.

Whomever the Broncos decide to use as their primary CB2 starter will certainly be tested regularly, as teams will undoubtedly target the to-be-determined player with Surtain patrolling the other side. Moss showing he can stick at the position would give the Broncos a low-cost answer opposite Surtain, who could make a case to become the NFL’s highest-paid CB by a wide margin — considering the current gap between the wide receiver ceiling and the top CB number ($21MM AAV presently) — this offseason or in 2025.

If this competition underwhelms, the Broncos would have some options — should they seek more outside help. Adoree’ Jackson remains unsigned, as do Xavien Howard, Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson and likely Hall of Famer Patrick Peterson. Though, Peterson and Gilmore will each turn 34 soon. It stands to reason most of this lot will find jobs soon. Considering the Broncos’ situation, it would not exactly surprise to see them connected to one of them.

Broncos Hire David Shaw

June 20th, 2024 at 10:17am CST by Adam La Rose

David Shaw has long been mentioned as a candidate to return to the NFL coaching scene, and he is now set to join a pro franchise for the first time since 2005. The former Stanford head coach is taking on a position with the Broncos, as first reported by Mike Klis of 9News. The move is now official, per a team announcement.

Shaw will hold the title of senior personnel executive. That is a different role than what he had interviewed for in recent years – the 51-year-old had been attempting to become an NFL head coach – but he will nevertheless face high expectations as part of Denver’s front office. Shaw’s arrival follows that of Cody Rager, who in January became the team’s VP of player personnel.

The Broncos hired Sean Payton during the 2022 head coaching cycle; their interview process included a meeting with Shaw. The latter was again on the radar of interested teams this offseason, interviewing with the Chargers and Titans for their respective HC vacancies. After being unable to land a role on the sidelines in the NFL, Shaw will now transition to an executive position allowing him to reunite with Payton. The pair worked together as assistants on the Eagles’ staff in 1997.

Shaw took over from Jim Harbaugh at Stanford in 2011, and he had a strong run as head coach through 2022. Compiling a 96-54 record and leading the program to three Rose Bowl titles, he drew praise for his pro-style offense. Shaw was away from coaching last season, and this gig will involve new front office responsibilities. Several members of the Broncos’ ownership group – including Greg Penner, Carrie Walton Penner and Condoleezza Rice – have longstanding ties to Stanford, and Klis notes general manager George Paton remained in touch with Shaw following his head coaching interview.

Now, Shaw will aim to offer insight on both pro and college personnel in Denver while serving in a different role than what he is familiar with. Success in the Mile High City could lead to further opportunities in Denver or renewed interest from around the NFL.

Zach Wilson In Uphill Battle To Be Broncos’ Backup QB?

June 19th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ahead of training camp, the Broncos have a quarterback who spent a season in Sean Payton‘s offense and another the team drafted in the first round. Zach Wilson looms as a wild card.

As Jarrett Stidham enjoys an advantage from spending 2023 in Denver and Bo Nix likely to start the majority (barring injury) of the Broncos’ games this season, Wilson sits in an unusual position. The Broncos and Jets agreed on a salary compromise to facilitate a trade finalized days before the draft, but the former No. 2 overall pick is not a lock to secure a spot on the team’s 53-man roster.

[RELATED: Broncos Decline Zach Wilson’s Fifth-Year Option]

Stidham and Wilson may well be vying for one roster spot, and The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider notes the latter has some ground to close if he is to be Denver’s backup to begin the season (subscription required). The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel also views Wilson as in third place in this competition exiting minicamp.

In terms of arm talent, Wilson did reveal an advantage over the other two Denver QBs during on-field workouts. This has not exactly been the BYU alum’s issue during his NFL career, with a dazzling pro day leading to the Jets deciding to select him second overall and trade Sam Darnold. Wilson quickly revealed himself to be a poor decision-maker with inconsistent mechanics in New York, leading to multiple 2022 benchings and another demotion — for a player (Tim Boyle) Robert Saleh admitted was less talented — late last season.

Payton said (via ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold) he does not have a hard deadline — before game week, that is — on deciding if Nix, Stidham or Wilson will be his Week 1 starter. A recent report pointed to the job being Nix’s to lose. Considering the Broncos’ investment in the recent Oregon standout, it would be stunning if the No. 12 overall pick was not in the lineup early in the season. As of now, Stidham appears to have the better shot among the veterans of delaying Nix’s debut.

Payton regularly kept two quarterbacks on his active roster in New Orleans, doing so before the NFL reimplemented the emergency third-QB rule. The league further increasing flexibility for teams regarding their QB3 spot keeps the door open for the loser of the Wilson-Stidham competition to end up on the practice squad. Though, select teams could certainly eye the competition’s odd man out for an active-roster role. Wilson would need to be exposed to waivers if cut, whereas Stidham is a vested veteran. If the Broncos waive Wilson, they would be hit with $2.7MM in dead money. This would obviously represent another setback for a once-coveted prospect.

The Broncos, of course, are in Year 1 of a record-setting dead money process stemming from their Russell Wilson release. A minor guarantee for Zach Wilson might not move the needle too much when Payton decides on his backup.

Stidham is attached to a two-year, $10MM deal, but just $1MM of his 2024 base salary ($4.49MM) is guaranteed. As a vested vet, Stidham will see the rest of that money become locked in just before the season. Denver trading one of the veterans, while adding another QB to be its emergency option on the P-squad, also would seem to be on the table. The preseason’s conclusion has been a trade window for many years.

Stidham or Wilson seeing significant playing time this year will mean something has gone wrong, as Nix is 24 and set the Division I-FBS record for quarterback starts. Training camp and the preseason will bring more important reps for Wilson, but after being paid to leave the Jets, the erratic talent — who arrived after the Broncos’ offseason program had begun — looks to be falling behind with his new team.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/19/24

June 19th, 2024 at 8:09pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Denver Broncos

  • Signed: LB Dondrea Tillman

New York Jets

  • Waived: OL Vitaliy Gurman

Pittsburgh Steelers

After winning a UFL championship with the Birmingham Stallions, Tillman will be joining the Broncos. According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, the linebacker will get a three-year deal from Denver that includes a $10K signing bonus. Monday was the first day that UFL players could officially join NFL teams, and Tillman’s agent, Marty Magid, told Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette that his client received interest from a handful of squads before landing in Denver.

A former standout at Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Tillman went undrafted in 2019. After spending the past two years in the USFL, he caught on with the UFL for the 2024 campaign and proceeded to have a breakout season. The linebacker finished the campaign with 27 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

AFC West Notes: Franklin-Myers, Broncos, Brady, Raiders, OL, Chiefs, Cook, Chargers

June 19th, 2024 at 1:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Jets work on a solution to bring trade acquisition Haason Reddick into the fold, the Broncos have longtime Gang Green D-line starter John Franklin-Myers penciled into a starting post. Franklin-Myers is expected to start alongside Zach Allen and D.J. Jones in Vance Joseph‘s 3-4 scheme. The Broncos acquired the 27-year-old D-lineman for only a 2026 sixth-round pick, with the deal amounting to a salary dump on the Jets’ part. Denver reworked Franklin-Myers’ deal, with terms (two years, $15MM) north of where a Jets pay-cut offer came in, and improved one of their DE spots from last season. The former Rams draftee said (via ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold) he spoke with Joseph and Broncos senior defensive assistant Joe Vitt about how he would fit in Denver’s scheme, helping move the trade across the goal line.

While significant questions remain about the Broncos’ viability as a contender, the team has experienced cogs at just about every spot across both lines. Here is the latest from the AFC West:

  • The Chiefs boast experience at four positions on their offensive front, but the reigning champions’ left tackle post is unsettled as of now. Second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia looks to hold an early lead on 2023 third-rounder Wanya Morris for the job, per The Athletic’s Nate Taylor. Suamataia took the majority of the first-team reps during minicamp. Training camp will, of course, provide a clearer indication of this position battle (subscription required). Should Suamataia end up losing the competition, it would stand to reason he would have a shot to eventually claim it as he develops. But the BYU product is off to a nice start, albeit in unpadded work.
  • Down Bryan Cook for their final nine games due to an ankle injury, the Chiefs saw the third-year safety participate fully in minicamp, Taylor adds. This certainly brings good news, given that Cook was carted off Lambeau Field in early December. The Chiefs, who lost fill-in Mike Edwards to the Bills this offseason, are once again planning to turn to Cook and Justin Reid as their starting safeties.
  • Trey Pipkins‘ move to guard is looking likely to produce a starting opportunity. Pipkins joined Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman and Joe Alt in taking every first-team rep during the team’s final OTA and the minicamp open to media, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper writes. Jim Harbaugh said this group is on track to be a “top-tier” O-line. A career-long tackle, Pipkins’ guard move has been in the works for a bit now. Two seasons remain on his three-year, $21.75MM deal.
  • Jim Leonhard interviewed for the Eagles’ defensive coordinator job last year and appeared the frontrunner for the Packers’ DC gig in 2021. After leaving his Wisconsin DC post following the 2022 season, Leonhard spent last year as an analyst at Illinois. Sean Payton hired Leonhard to coach the Broncos‘ DBs this year and said (via DNVR Sports’ Zac Stevens) he attempted to hire the former safety in 2023. Leonhard undergoing a hip replacement delayed this partnership, but he has since replaced Christian Parker, who joined the Eagles this offseason.
  • Nearly 13 months have passed since Tom Brady agreed to buy a Raiders stake. The owners continue to table the matter, with multiple issues — from the stake price (since resolved) to the conflict of interest with Brady’s FOX job — coming up. Owners did not discuss this at last month’s meetings, but the Washington Post’s Mark Maske notes Brady still is more likely than not to end up a Raiders minority owner. Roger Goodell said Brady’s access to team facilities and practices would need to be addressed if he is approved. Barring a special session, the owners’ next chance to vote in Brady as a Raiders part-owner comes in October.

Patrick Surtain Open To Broncos Extension; CB Did Not Expect To Be Traded

June 17th, 2024 at 9:46am CST by Adam La Rose

With Justin Simmons no longer in the fold, Patrick Surtain is in place as the centerpiece of the Broncos’ secondary. The latter also profiles as one of the team’s top financial priorities as he is now eligible for an extension.

To little surprise, Denver picked up Surtain’s 2025 fifth-year option. That has him on track to earn $19.8MM next year, although a long-term accord will check in at a much higher price. The Broncos are interested in an extension, one which could approach or reach the top of the cornerback market. Surtain’s latest remarks on the matter demonstrate the feeling is mutual.

“Yeah, definitely,” the 24-year-old said of interest in a long-term Broncos accord (via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). “When you see those [Ring of Fame] players on the wall and see what they’ve done, it just gives you great inspiration and you look forward to those things to fulfill. Obviously, I want to be a Bronco, so I definitely want to see my name up in the rafters.”

Surtain’s name has been floated in trade rumors, but the Broncos have understandably driven a hard bargain to date. A pair of first-round picks was the starting point in negotiations, and while three teams submitted an offer ahead of the trade deadline, no deal came close to being worked out. Leading up to the draft, the Alabama alum was thought to be a potential chip in a Denver trade-up endeavor. The Broncos stayed put, though, and selected Bo Nix at No. 12.

When asked about the possibility of being dealt before Day 1 of the draft, Surtain said he did not expect to be moved. With he and the Broncos in line to remain together for at least two more years, attention can now turn to the progress of extension talks. The former first-rounder posted four interceptions as a rookie and followed that up by earning first-team All-Pro honors one year later. 2023 did not result in the same accolades, but Surtain did manage to receive a second straight Pro Bowl nod.

The cornerback market includes three producers (Jaire Alexander, Denzel Ward and Jalen Ramsey) who are attached to deals averaging $20MM or more. Surtain will no doubt look to reach that plateau, although cap increases could lead to him aiming for the top of the pecking order at the position. With Nix on his rookie deal and few big-money investments on defense, the Broncos could be positioned to make a lucrative Surtain investment. Whether or not one is agreed to this summer will be a key storyline to follow.

Broncos Sign LB Andre Smith

June 13th, 2024 at 8:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Andre Smith has established a steady career as a special-teamer, moving around the country as a backup linebacker who primarily contributes on fourth downs and kickoffs. The veteran found another gig Thursday.

A day after the Broncos concluded their minicamp, they reached an agreement to add Smith. The team announced the signing, and Smith will replace tight end Dylan Leonard on the team’s roster. The Broncos, whom 9News’ Mike Klis notes auditioned Smith at minicamp this week, waived Leonard with an injury settlement.

Smith, 27, joins the Broncos after a year with the Falcons. Denver will be Smith’s fourth NFL destination in four seasons and fifth team overall. A former Panthers seventh-round pick, Smith became one of many in the Carolina-to-Buffalo pipeline in recent years by being traded to the Bills in 2020. After two years in Buffalo, Smith stopped through Tennessee in 2022.

With the Falcons last season, Smith played 11 games and made his first career start at linebacker. While the former Carolina draftee logged a career-high 112 defensive snaps in 2023, the bulk of his work still came on special teams. Smith played 211 ST snaps, marking the fourth time during his career he has surpassed 200 plays in that phase.

The Broncos lost six-year linebacker Josey Jewell to the Panthers in free agency but signed Cody Barton as an option alongside Alex Singleton. The team also extended backup and special-teamer Jonas Griffith in February but lost hybrid LB Drew Sanders to an offseason Achilles tear. A 2023 third-round pick, Sanders was on the field for 297 special teams plays as a rookie.

Broncos, WR Courtland Sutton At Stalemate

June 11th, 2024 at 9:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Courtland Sutton reported for the Broncos’ minicamp Tuesday. This will allow him to avoid a $102K fine, separating this situation from the CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk and Amari Cooper matters. But Sutton continues to pursue a contract adjustment.

Nothing is imminent for the Broncos’ top wide receiver, who said (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) his talks with the team — more than a month after this contract issue became known — are at a stalemate. Sutton’s four-year, $60MM contract runs through 2025. Only $2MM of the seventh-year veteran’s $13MM 2024 base salary is guaranteed; the rest of the money would become locked in shortly before Week 1.

The 6-foot-4 pass catcher, who underwent offseason ankle surgery, mostly watched during Denver’s first minicamp workout, per 9News’Mike Klis. Sutton, 28, said (via Tomasson) he gave brief consideration to skipping Denver’s minicamp but remains committed to the team, eyeing a hopeful ring of fame induction down the road. The Broncos drafted Sutton in the 2018 second round, and he has produced at points despite the the quarterback inconsistency that has come to define this franchise post-Peyton Manning.

“It was definitely something that was considered,” Sutton said (via Klis) of the prospect of missing minicamp. “Obviously, I’m here. I wanted to make sure it was known, yeah, I was upset about how the contract went about, how the conversation went about. How the stalemate has persisted. But I also wanted it to be know that I love ball.”

Sutton is believed to be angling for a raise, and while the Broncos accommodated Chris Harris with a pay bump to resolve an issue back in 2019, the latter had proven far more than his former practice adversary has. Harris, who made the 2010s’ All-Decade team, was also going into the final year of his contract when the Broncos gave him a raise. Sutton, whose lone 1,000-yard season came that year, having two years remaining on his deal complicates matters. As does the fact Sean Payton was not in Denver when the team extended him during the 2021 season.

Denver has resisted trade interest for Sutton, though the team finally gave in on Jerry Jeudy and unloaded the former first-rounder for fifth- and sixth-round picks. Teams called about the Broncos’ 2023 leading receiver before the draft, but Sutton remains the team’s receiver centerpiece. Under Payton, however, the team has added a few pieces — from 2023 second-rounder Marvin Mims, 2024 fourth-rounder Troy Franklin and free agent Josh Reynolds. Sutton and Tim Patrick are the only John Elway-era cogs left in the Broncos’ skill-position group.

The Broncos set a second-round asking price on Sutton last year, and while that was never likely to be met, the team has the SMU alum on a fairly favorable deal considering where the wide receiver market has gone since this deal was finalized. Sutton’s $15MM AAV now sits 26th at the position. Jeudy signed a Browns extension that checked in north of Sutton for AAV and included far more guarantees at signing ($41.6MM).

Several wide receiver contract situations remain unresolved as the offseason enters its final weeks. Sutton’s may qualify as a second-tier matter, but the Broncos are likely aiming to have him help Bo Nix during the first-rounder’s rookie year. Training camp will represent the next stage of this impasse.

“We are at a stalemate in a sense, but I have confidence and faith that the right thing will be done,” Sutton said, via Klis. “I hope that I am part of the bigger picture. I’ve been told that’s what the game plan is. I’ve also been told some other things. We’ll see what happens. I hope that I’m part of the game plan.“

QB Bo Nix On Track To Start For Broncos?

June 10th, 2024 at 10:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

To little surprise, the Broncos were one of six teams who used a first-round pick on a quarterback during this year’s draft. Bo Nix – head coach Sean Payton‘s target throughout the pre-draft process – is in line to serve as Denver’s starter at some point in the near future.

The Oregon alum is one of three signal-callers who has spent time with the first-team offense during offseason practices to date. Nix is competing with trade acquisition Zach Wilson and returnee Jarrett Stidham. The latter has familiarity with Payton’s scheme dating back to his two starts at the end of the 2023 campaign, and he opened OTAs tentatively atop the depth chart.

Nix has impressed so far, though, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes (video link). The 24-year-old made a record-breaking 61 starts in college, and that experience should allow him to transition to the pro game fairly quickly. Nix’s accuracy was a central aspect of his success with the Ducks, and his ability to translate that at the NFL level will be a key talking point for the Broncos if he sees playing time as a rookie. Mike Klis of 9News confirms the QB1 job is Nix’s to lose at this point, adding he is on pace to start Week 1.

Of course, this week’s minicamp – and, more importantly, training camp this summer – will more clearly define the pecking order at the position. Denver took on an historic dead money charge by releasing Russell Wilson, clearing the way for Payton to move forward in his Broncos tenure with his preference under center. If that proves to be Nix right away, he will be expected to elevate an offense which put up middling numbers in several categories last year.

Klis adds that the battle for QB2 between Stidham and Wilson will be worth monitoring. The former is due $6MM in 2024, but only $1MM of his salary is guaranteed. The latter, by contrast, is owed the guaranteed $2.75MM Denver agreed to take on as part of the trade agreement with the Jets. Klis notes the financial element of the situation could come into play, and that will especially be true if Wilson can demonstrate why he was a recent No. 2 pick.

Like all teams, nothing is truly settled at this point of the offseason. Still, signs still point to Nix holding down starting duties right away as the Broncos continue to sort out their quarterback pecking order over the course of the offseason.

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