Add Knowshon Moreno to Long List of Impending 2014 Free Agents
Dec 8, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno (27) rushes in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Broncos’ star-studded list of 2014 free agents is already well documented, and if it’s not, it’s because no one wants to face that ugly reality amidst one of the greatest seasons in franchise history.
That being said, Andrew Mason, who is one of the best journalists out there and covers the Broncos in Denver independently on the team site, is now reporting that he’s been informed running back Knowshon Moreno’s salary option for 2014 was voided (at some point or another) and he will be a free agent in 2014.
This is surprising because we’ve been led to believe for the longest time that Moreno’s contract was a club option in 2014 at a very cheap price (around $1.4M), but now it appears as though at some point along the way, the team and Moreno voided that final year and now he will be able to hit the free agent market this offseason, presumably.
Moreno is having a huge year for the Broncos, and I think if the price is right, it’d be wise to bring him back for a few more years. He’s a tough runner who isn’t going to blow anyone away with his straight line speed, but Moreno is great in blitz pickup and has excellent hands out of the backfield.
He’s on pace this season for over 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career with 940 through 14 games, and to go along with it he has 10 rushing touchdowns, 53 receptions, 481 receiving yards, and another two scores through the air.
In other words, it’s been a breakout season for Moreno who has proven to be one of the NFL’s most effective three-down backs and of course it would happen in a contract year. We should have all known better.
Anyway, it would be great to have Moreno back in orange and blue again next season, but with all the players projected as free agents, it’s going to be tough for Denver to decide who to keep, who to let go, and how to keep this franchise progressing forward and not completely starting over.