Denver Broncos: John Elway says team wants Jeff Heuerman back

John Elway acknowledged his past injuries but says the team has seen enough from TE Jeff Heuerman that they want him back in 2019…

It has taken all of four seasons in the NFL, but Denver Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman has convinced the team that he’s worth keeping on a second contract after this season.

The impending 2019 free agent set career marks in 2018 before going down for the season with an unfortunate injury, catching 31 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns.

Prior to the 2018 season, Heuerman had caught 18 passes, nine in each 2016 and 2017. He had proven his worth in those two seasons as a blocker but had merely shown flashes of what he could do as a receiver.

He was brought in to help replace Julius Thomas in 2015 but suffered a major knee injury in his first rookie minicamp, and missed the entire season.

With a quarterback in Case Keenum who likes getting the ball to his tight ends, Heuerman has really blossomed, at least as a serviceable starting tight end and if Jake Butt is healthy, a high-level TE2 in the NFL.

The Broncos held on to Heuerman despite many injury struggles but he showed his pass catching abilities and run after the catch abilities in this, his fourth NFL season.

John Elway was asked about whether or not the team would be interested in re-signing Heuerman in an interview with Dave Logan on Orange & Blue 760.

"“We like what he’s about and we’d love to have him back next year. We’ll have to see how everything works out. There’s no question he’s high on the list of (players we) hopefully get back.”John Elway (via Orange & Blue radio)"

Elway went on to say that the best ability in the NFL is availability in regards to Heuerman’s injuries, but did seem firm in his belief that the former Ohio State product had shown enough to this point that the team would like him back. Obviously, those words transcribed above are pretty strong in favor of Heuerman.

They are especially strong considering the Broncos now have some significant decisions to make about players they could potentially look at bringing back this offseason. That’s another article for another day, but there are some players earning new contracts in Denver or elsewhere, and there will have to be some tough decisions made.

Will the Broncos try to re-sign Matt Paradis with what centers are being paid right now? Will they look at bringing back one of Jared Veldheer or Billy Turner? How about Domata Peko and Zach Kerr?

Some major questions need answering this offseason with a big-time impending free agent class for Denver and plenty of players who have helped this team over the last two years. The Broncos may have to look into reloading yet again with some of those players likely to get bigger contracts elsewhere.

Heuerman’s market value will probably be something the Broncos can afford, but it should be a reasonable 1-2 year deal either way.