Donald Stephenson met the Denver media Thursday afternoon and made it clear he is ready to start a new chapter in his career. He joins a team that he has watched win the AFC West each season he has been in the National Football League with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I just want to join the party. I’m excited. The year right after the Super Bowl I get to be a part of something special, maybe do it again, I’m excited,” Stephenson said from the podium at UCHealth Training Center.
Today he signed a three-year contract for a reported $14 million, $10 million guaranteed. As first reported here yesterday, Stephenson confirmed that 13 to 15 teams were in contact with his agent before he decided on moving on the Broncos. As a Missouri native Stephenson was thrilled to be drafted by the Chiefs in 2012 with the 74th overall pick but things did not work out as he had planned. Now he is ready to move on but also see his former team twice a year.
“I spent my whole life there [in Kansas City]. It’s time to move on. I love everything about it. I enjoyed my time. I just need something different. This is the perfect place,” he said.
Stephenson has played the majority of his career at left tackle but can play multiple positions. His versatility with be a big factor in determining where he fits and who else along the Broncos line may be moving on to other teams.
“Tackle, but I’m pretty versatile,” Stephenson said Tuesday when asked where the team told him he would play. “You know how the season goes, a lot of injuries. I can play guard, I can play left [tackle] and I can play right [tackle].”
The Broncos have shown little interest in free agent linemen, guard Evan Mathis, tackle Ryan Harris and tackle Tyler Polumbus and the Broncos released guard Louis Vasquez on Tuesday. That leaves tackles Ty Sambrailo, Michael Schofield and Ryan Clady and guard Max Garcia to compete at those two spots with Stephenson.
As for the startling news of Brock Osweiler leaving Tuesday, Stephenson admitted he has thought about it but believes in the front of office of his new team.
“I put a little bit of thought into it,” he said Thursday. “I feel like any time you’ve got a [general manager] like you do here (Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway) that quarterbacks are going to come running. I’m not worried about it. I’m pretty sure they’re going to find a guy that can play.”
Regardless of the Broncos other recent departures, Stephenson appears to be a nice addition and his comments Thursday seem to be that of a confident and motivated player.
