Denver Broncos Part Ways With Willis McGahee

Nov 18 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Willis McGahee (23) during the second quarter of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It was announced on Thursday that RB Willis McGahee was released by the Denver Broncos. The 11-year veteran played two season with the Broncos, accumulating 1930 yards and 8 touchdowns. McGahee was an integral part of a franchise-record setting running performance in 2011 which lead the Broncos from worst-to-first in the AFC West and a Wild Card victory over the then defending AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2011, the Broncos set a team record with 164.5 yards per game. McGahee had 1199 yards, 4 TDs, 4.8 yards per carry, and 1 receiving TD in 15 games. A performance which culminated in a Pro-Bowl selection. 2012 saw a decline in production due to a knee injury in week 11 which resulted in an IR stint that held him out of the final 6 weeks of the regular season and the divisional playoff game. He was moved to the “Designated to return list” in hopes of returning for the AFC Championship and/or Super Bowl; which as we know was a non-issue (I still get physically ill when I think about it).

McGahee’s departure undoubtedly opens up quite the RB battle in training camp between veteran, Knowshon Moreno, 2nd year back, Ronnie Hillman, and 2013 2nd round pick, Montee Ball. Also vying for the carries left behind by McGahee’s departure are Lance Ball, Jeremiah Johnson, C.J. Anderson, and Jacob Hester.

As a fan, I appreciate what Willis provided for our Broncos over the past two years and contend that if he did not get hurt in week 11, WE would have attended a victory parade on February 5th down 17th Street in Downtown Denver. So I speak for many in wishing much luck to Willis McGahee going forward…just not against the Broncos.

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