Denver Broncos veteran tight end Virgil Green is moving on in free agency, signing a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers…
Denver Broncos free agent tight end Virgil Green is leaving the Mile High City but is staying in the division.
The former Bronco agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Chargers today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The #Chargers are signing blocking TE Virgil Green, source said, formerly of the #Broncos. He stays in the division.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2018
The deal is for three years.
In 16 games for the Broncos last season, Green snatched 14 receptions for 191 yards and one touchdown. The 29-year-old was originally a seventh round draft pick in 2011 out of Nevada.
Although those aren’t great stats, the Chargers will be getting a quality player who will have the chance to help their offensive line block for their star running back Melvin Gordon.
Green was part of the Broncos Super Bowl 50-winning team, when they beat the Carolina Panthers, but recorded no receptions during the game. However, he helped block for running back C.J. Anderson, as Anderson rushed 23 times for 90 yards and a touchdown.
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This will be Green’s third contract in the NFL. He was re-signed by the Broncos in 2015 on a three-year deal.
The team’s tight end group is now loaded. They currently have 37-year-old Antonio Gates, their long-time star tight end who was undrafted in 2003. Another quality player at the position is their young guy, Hunter Henry.
Signing Green for three years is a good move for the Chargers, as it seems very likely that 2018 will be Gates’ last season in the NFL. At the end of this contract, Green will be 33-years-old and could possibly sign one more contract after this one retires, if he so chooses.
After a couple seasons without a great quarterback, Green goes to a team who has a pretty good one in Philip Rivers. It will be very interesting to see if Green’s stats improve while on the Chargers.
With Green’s departure, the Broncos now have four tight ends: second-year guy Jake Butt (who has yet to play in a game), Austin Traylor, Matt LaCosse, and Jeff Heuereman.