George Paton won’t have much time to get settled into Denver before having to make many massive decisions on the future of the Denver Broncos.
With the salary cap expected to drop to roughly $180 million, NFL teams will be looking to save cap space everywhere they can. Fortunately for the Broncos, they have plenty of players they can turn to if they do, in fact, need to open up cap space.
Paton wasted no time making the first big decision as the team released A.J. Bouye on Wednesday. By releasing the veteran cornerback, the Broncos opened up nearly $12 million in cap space without a single dollar in dead cap.
Here are others players Paton and the Broncos could move on from this offseason to open up cap space.
Von Miller
Cap hit in 2021: $22.225 million
Dead cap: $4.225 million
Potential Savings: $18 million
Likelihood the team moves on: Up to Von
It’s extremely unlikely that Von Miller will be back with the Broncos in 2021 under his current cap hit, which is the largest on the team. If Miller wants to remain a Bronco, he will need to restructure or take a sizable pay cut.
Has the Super Bowl 50 MVP played his last snap for the Broncos? That decision will likely come down to Miller’s willingness to adjust his contract.
Kareem Jackson
Cap hit in 2021: $12.882 million
Dead cap: $2.882 million
Potential Savings: $10 million
Likelihood the team moves on: Unlikely
Kareem Jackson has been exactly the type of player the Broncos hoped he would be when they signed him to a huge three-yard contract in 2019. With no signs of slowing down, Jackson will return to Denver for the final year of his deal to show the Broncos and the rest of the NFL he still has even more in the tank.
The only reason Denver would decide to move on from Jackson is if they need his $10 million in cap savings to re-sign Justin Simmons.
Jurrell Casey
Cap hit in 2021: $12.281 million
Dead cap: $0
Potential Savings: $12.281 million
Likelihood the team moves on: Up to Casey
Much like Von, Jurrell Casey will not be back with the Broncos in 2021 under his current contract. After tearing his bicep, Casey was only able to play in three games his first year in Denver.
For him to return, he will have to take a sizable pay cut or restructure. With no dead money, the Broncos hold all of the power in potential negotiations.
Bryce Callahan
Cap hit in 2021: $8.716 million
Dead cap: $1.716 million
Potential Savings: $7 million
Likelihood the team moves on: Unlikely if healthy
Last year, Bryce Callahan proved that when healthy he is a stud cornerback. The only problem is his health has kept him on the sidelines for more games than not since signing with Denver in 2019.
After missing the entire 2019 season, Callahan was a shutdown cornerback in the 10 games he played in 2020. However, multiple injuries kept him out of six games last year. Callahan ended the season on the injured reserve with a foot injury.
With the Broncos already needing additional cornerback help this offseason, it would be a surprise if the team moved on from Callahan, unless they believe his nagging foot injuries will continue.
Nick Vannett
Cap hit in 2021: $3.575 million
Dead cap: $875,000
Potential Savings: $2.7 million
Likelihood the team moves on: 50-50
The emergence of Albert Okwuegbunam his rookie season makes Nick Vannett expendable if the Broncos are looking to save a chuck of change.
If Denver believes Okwuegbunam can be a legitimate No. 2 tight end his second season in the league, paying Vannett $3.5 million to be the team’s third tight end would be a steep price to pay. However, if Albert O. needs another year to develop into more of a complete tight end, the team could hang onto Vannett for the final year of his deal.
This decision comes down to how the Broncos view Okwuegbunam, not Vannett.
Jeff Driskel
Cap hit in 2021: $3.25 million
Dead cap: $750,000
Potential Savings: $2.5 million
Likelihood the team moves on: Very likely
Jeff Driskel was brought in last offseason to be the Broncos’ backup quarterback. Driskel didn’t even make it through his first start before being replaced by Brett Rypien.
Drew Lock’s future as the team’s starting quarterback is in doubt. However, there should be no doubt on Driskel’s future, especially with Denver being able to save $2.5 million in cap space by moving on from him.
Sam Martin
Cap hit in 2021: $2.783 million
Dead cap: $966,667
Potential Savings: $1.82 million
Likelihood the team moves on: Very unlikely
Sam Martin will be Denver’s punter next season unless the Broncos desperately need to save money. After finishing with the 10th-best yards per punt in the NFL, Martin provided the consistency Denver was looking for.
