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Denver Broncos: Brandon Marshall will not return in 2019

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall #54 of the Denver Broncos stands and holds a fist in the air during the national anthem before a game against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall #54 of the Denver Broncos stands and holds a fist in the air during the national anthem before a game against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Denver Broncos have informed LB Brandon Marshall they will not be picking up his 2019 contract option.

According to multiple media reports (first by ESPN’s Adam Schefter) the Denver Broncos have informed starting inside linebacker Brandon Marshall that they will not be picking up his contract option for the 2019 season.

Marshall was due a $1 million option and the Broncos didn’t feel like they could absorb his $9 million cap hit with his injury issues in two of the past three seasons.

Marshall and rookie linebacker Josey Jewell almost split snaps this past season, but Marshall ended up on the field for nine more plays than Jewell defensively.

He struggled with a knee injury this past season and finished the season with 42 tackles in 11 games.

He played in just 11 games in the 2016 season as well.

There should be a decent market for Marshall in free agency, and he joins what we’ve already outlined is a pretty talented and strong free agent linebacker crop.

Marshall was picked up by the Broncos after multiple times on and off the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster and practice squad back in 2013. The Broncos gave Marshall exactly the type of opportunity he needed, and he quickly ascended through their system, earning a starting job in 2014.

In the 2015 season, the duo of Marshall and Danny Trevathan was arguably the best off-ball linebacker duo in all of football.

Since becoming a starter in the 2014 season, Marshall has three seasons with over 100 tackles. He was sensational in coverage early on and he has great confidence in himself. He plays hard and should be an asset for the team that ends up picking him up in free agency.

Despite his injury issues, Marshall was undoubtedly the most well-rounded linebacker on the Broncos’ roster in terms of his ability to play the run and the pass, so this re-establishes the team’s need to find someone at that position.

More. Draft options after Joe Flacco trade. light

They have a decent chance at drafting the top linebacker in the 2019 class in Devin White, but the Broncos could also opt for free agency here and go get a stud like CJ Mosley.

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