Ryan Clady Accepts Five-Year, $52 Million Deal to Stay with Broncos

Ryan Clady (78) against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Plan A and Plan B are nothing without Plan C. Plan Clady that is.

The Denver Broncos offered left tackle Ryan Clady a five-year deal worth $52 million ($33 million guaranteed over the first three years), and the best part about the whole thing is Clady (finally) accepted.

Think of it as purchasing an Aston Martin in New York City. You wouldn’t cruise that thing around unless you had some type of insurance, right? That’s the thinking behind protecting Peyton Manning.

Clady is arguably the best left tackle in the league, and now his pay reflects that. That was the whole point. Clady has played in every game since his rookie year in 2008, making him just the fourth offensive lineman to start all 16 games and make at least three Pro Bowls in his first five seasons.

The sixth-year player allowed the fewest sacks in the league (1.0) last season. In addition to his Pro Bowl nod, he was also named a first-team AP All-Pro selection and was chosen as a member of the USA Football All-Fundamentals Team.

Clady already earned the Ed Block Courage Award in 2010 after recovering from an offseason knee injury. He’s going to have to exhibit that same resolve as he recovers from offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. Clady will likely miss a week or two or training camp, but he is expected to be back for the high anticipated rematch against the Baltimore Ravens.

Make sure to follow Predominantly Orange on Facebook and on Twitter.