Not picking up Shane Ray’s option is a terrible idea
The Denver Broncos are not expected to pick up Shane Ray’s fifth-year option, and that is a terrible idea. We explain exactly why…
The Denver Broncos are reportedly not expected to pick up Shane Ray’s fifth-year team option, and if that’s the case, they are making a terrible decision.
The Broncos have until Thursday afternoon to decide whether or not they are going to officially exercise or decline Ray’s fifth-year option, essentially a one-year, fully guaranteed contract worth north of $9 million.
Ray was a key piece of the Broncos’ 2015 championship run as a rotational edge rusher, and became a more prominent part of the defense in 2016 when DeMarcus Ware struggled with injuries.
That season, Ray racked up eight sacks and improved his all-around game, looking like a future star for the Broncos.
Going into his third season in 2017, Ray injured his wrist and had to be placed on injured reserve, but the Broncos wanted to recall him later in the year.
And that’s exactly what they did.
Ray had just one sack after he came back from injury, which isn’t all that surprising since his time recovering from injury hindered his upper body strength, and the fact that he wasn’t fully recovered when he was called back off of injured reserve basically meant he was playing one-handed.
Mike Klis reported that the Broncos were not likely to pick up Ray’s option for the 2019 season.
There are a few reasons I hate this move.
First and foremost, Ray is a very talented pass rusher. Since the start of the 2016 season, he’s been the Broncos’ most effective pass rusher when healthy.
Second, the Broncos drafted him specifically to be an heir apparent to DeMarcus Ware. The first year he got the chance? Well, that was last year when he injured his wrist.
Third, there’s a pretty minimal risk involved on the Broncos’ end. If you pick up the option and Ray does great this season, he’s a bargain at $9 million next season. If you pick up the option and he stinks, or doesn’t show the improvement you want, you can cut him with no dead money.
The only reason not to pick up the option is an expectation that Ray will fail a physical prior to the start of the new league year next March.
More from Predominantly Orange
- Broncos chances of landing Sean Payton dwindling, but not gone
- Denver Broncos dream coaching staff for DeMeco Ryans
- Denver Broncos: “Sleeper” David Shaw checks every box
- The Broncos’ coaching search likely has not gone to plan
- Special Chiefs Suck Offer: Bet $5, Win $150 if Joe Burrow Passes for ONE YARD vs KC
Fourth, not picking up the option creates an awkward vibe and it clearly affected Sylvester Williams when the Broncos didn’t pick up his option back in 2016. Williams struggled that entire season and didn’t show the same type of burst off the line that he showed as a starter on that great 2015 team.
I’m not saying the Broncos should have paid Sylvester Williams a bunch of money. In fact, they were probably right not to pick up his option (he was a reach when they drafted him in the first place) but they traded up to acquire Ray, a player that at the time was supposedly ranked in the top 10-15 players on their draft board.
To add a fifth reason into the mix, the Broncos are set up very well financially next year with nearly $30 million in projected cap space before making any roster cuts whatsoever. They have to extend a couple of guys, namely Bradley Roby and probably Matt Paradis as well, but the Broncos are not in poor shape against the cap at all.
If they intend to decline Ray’s fifth year option, they should trade him to the highest bidder. Not picking up the option, no matter what way you spin it, is an indication that you don’t believe in the player. His inevitable departure would create such a weird vibe in the locker room all year.
Maybe I’m wrong about all of this, but until the Broncos have that third rusher locked in to a long term contract (Shaquil Barrett at a cheaper rate could be the plan) this decision is incredibly unsettling.