Schefter: Broncos Were Interested in WR Jeremy Maclin
December 9, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Chalk this up as one of the bummers of the day. Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper, Jason Peters, and Jason Kelce all have been given new deals by the Philadelphia Eagles within the last week or so, and the Broncos had interest in at least one of them.
Until WR Jeremy Maclin reached agreement with Philadelphia on a 1-year deal, Jets and Broncos were preparing to make a run at him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2014
There are other fish in the sea, but Maclin was probably the #2 free agent receiver behind Denver’s own Eric Decker, and he would have come at a greatly reduced price.
Instead of taking a lower deal on the open market than he believes he’s worth when healthy, Maclin decided to re-sign with the Eagles for another year, stay in a system he has gotten familiar with over the last year, and try and cash in in 2015.
It makes sense. It just stinks to know that the Broncos at least would have had a shot at him and he won’t even hit the open market. Not even close.
The fact that both Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin re-signed with the Eagles thins up the free agent receiver market a bit. Anquan Boldin has reportedly also been close to re-signing with the 49ers, so some of the big names are already being taken off the list.
Arguably the top name at this point expected to hit the market is Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks. If the Broncos were to pursue Maclin, I see no reason why they might not pursue Nicks, unless he is chasing a lot more money than he’s worth.