The Denver Broncos are having a great offseason

7. Russell Okung’s contract and impact

Russell Okung was a free agent I didn’t necessarily see coming to Denver. I felt strongly that the Broncos would be able to get a contract re-structure done with Ryan Clady, simply because of the fact that he publicly stated his willingness to do so at the Super Bowl.

Well, OK.

Clady’s contract re-negotiations hit an apparent snag, and that was all John Elway and the front office needed to pursue other opportunities. On Wednesday night, they were dining with Okung. On Thursday, he was touring the facility, getting ready to sign a five-year contract.

But this wasn’t any conventional negotiation.

With the situation of Clady lingering in the background, the Broncos negotiated with Okung himself (no agent representative, Okung is self-represented) and they each got creative on a deal that works out great for both parties.

The five-year pact is such that Okung will count $5 million against the cap in 2016 with a chance to earn an additional $3 million in incentives. The Broncos then have a team option from 2017 on for a four-year deal that is worth almost $21 million in guaranteed money and nearly double that in total money.

Not a bad contract drawn up by the self-represented Okung. He bet on himself, the Broncos get a savvy young veteran at the price they wanted, at arguably the greatest position of need on this team.

And now, Ryan Clady is on the trading block.

Next: The Patriots are being stupid