Free Agency: Denver Broncos May Be Best fit for LB D’Qwell Jackson
Oct 27, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cleveland Browns inside linebacker D
It’s no secret the Broncos have a need at the inside linebacker position, and perhaps unexpectedly, one such player was released from his now former team on Wednesday that could be of interest to them.
The Cleveland Browns decided to part ways with inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson after attempting to re-structure his contract, and the two sides eventually chose a split was for the best.
Jackson has had some injuries in the past, but has played all 16 games over the last three seasons, and could potentially be just what the doctor ordered as a veteran inside linebacker, leader, and team captain the Broncos need.
Pro Football Talk certainly seems to think so. They rank the Broncos #1 as Jackson’s best fit moving forward:
1. Denver Broncos. Middle linebackers Wesley Woodyard and Paris Lenon are unrestricted free agents. Broncos director of pro personnel Tom Heckert was the Browns’ G.M. before joining Denver and was part of the Cleveland front office that signed Jackson to his contract extension two years ago. Frankly, this is a fit that makes a lot of sense: Jackson would finally get to play for a winner, and he likely would have a key backer in Heckert.
From the moment he was released, I felt like this was a great fit. Jackson is still only 29 years old, though he’ll be 30 in September. I think if the Broncos were to sign him to a two- or three-year deal, it would be a huge addition for them. Jackson exemplifies what it means to be a professional, and his former employers called him the ‘epitome of class, leadership, and professionalism.’
Getting a guy like that to anchor the middle of your defense would be a great move by the Broncos. According to Jackson’s friend and NFL Network reporter Jeff Darlington, Jackson already has a visit lined up on Thursday and elected to keep the team under wraps for now.
Obviously the Broncos are a good fit. We’ll see if Jackson feels the same way.