Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady willing to re-do contract

Denver Broncos Pro Bowl offensive tackle Ryan Clady is coming off of a major knee injury, and is willing to re-structure his contract to stay with the team long-term per reports…

The Denver Broncos have been having problems all season with their offensive line, and one of the biggest reasons why is the absence of Pro Bowler Ryan Clady, a 29-year old franchise cornerstone piece that has missed both of the team’s Super Bowl appearances since Peyton Manning came aboard.

Clady has had three pretty major injuries in his time with the Broncos — a partially torn patellar tendon in 2010, a Lisfranc injury in 2013, and a torn ACL in 2015 — and according to what he told the Associated Press, he’s willing to re-structure his hefty contract to stay with the team in 2016 and beyond…

“I’m sure that’ll come after the season…I’m definitely willing to talk,” Clady said in the report. “I definitely would like to be a lifetime Bronco.”

If that’s the case, it would behoove John Elway to make it happen. The Broncos’ offensive line has been, we’ll call it a work in progress, and Clady is the most talented lineman the Broncos have despite his injury history. Having him back at a reduced price so the team has more cap to work with this offseason is a marvelous idea and one that Clady is obviously willing to entertain.

As it stands, Clady is guaranteed $10 million next season. One of John Elway’s biggest moves was re-signing Clady to a long-term deal in 2013 after giving him the franchise tag. Elway has never not re-signed someone long-term after giving them the tag. Clady would need to be re-structured or released so the Broncos could afford the insane number of in-house free agents they have to look at after this season.

Bringing back Clady is essential, given what we’ve seen this season, even if it’s with the thought that he might not be healthy. The Broncos will need him.