Denver Broncos FAs Matt LaCosse, Max Garcia heading to new teams
The Denver Broncos continue losing free agents with TE Matt LaCosse heading to the New England Patriots and OL Max Garcia to the Arizona Cardinals.
The mass exodus of free agents out of Denver continues, as the Denver Broncos have lost another pair of players in tight end Matt LaCosse and offensive lineman Max Garcia.
Garcia, a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Florida, competed for playing time immediately upon his arrival in Denver.
He played in every game of the 2015 season, starting a handful as the Broncos made it all the way to Super Bowl 50 and won.
Garcia was in a strange but apparently effective rotation at the left guard position with veteran Evan Mathis, who was on somewhat of a pitch count that season.
Garcia played his best football in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus.
New Cardinal Max Garcia had his best season in 2016 when he earned a 72.2 grade as the Broncos starting left guard. He will most likely be a backup and can play LG and RG pic.twitter.com/nPLaKgtMeZ
— PFF ARZ Cardinals (@PFF_Cardinals) March 14, 2019
Incidentally, that was the only year where Garcia was a full-time starter under Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison, who were undoubtedly major factors in Garcia being drafted in the first place.
In 2017, the Broncos signed Ron Leary to pair with Garcia at the two guard positions. Things didn’t go as well for Garcia as everyone had hoped, and he was replaced by Leary at his left guard spot in 2018 with Connor McGovern coming in and starting at right guard.
Garcia still ended up playing in nine games in 2018 and starting four with the injuries at the interior offensive line positions, but he also suffered a season-ending torn ACL in November.
Fun fact about Garcia — the dude can flat out sing. If you follow him on Instagram, you know this already, but if you don’t follow him, you have missed out. This guy has some serious pipes.
He’s signing with the Arizona Cardinals, who obviously need help all over their offensive line. The Cardinals hired Sean Kugler this offseason away from the Broncos to be their new offensive line coach, so Garcia will have familiarity there.
Specifically, Kugler was the Broncos’ interior linemen coach, so that was obviously a major connection for Garcia who joins JR Sweezy as free agent acquisitions for Arizona on the offensive line.
Matt LaCosse leaves for them who must not be named
The Broncos snatched Matt LaCosse off of the New York Giants’ practice squad late in 2017. He finally got a chance at some real playing time with the Broncos in 2018 and had a couple of games where he showed well as a receiver.
Source: the Patriots are signing former Jets DL Mike Pennel and former Broncos TE Matt LaCosse. Some needed depth at those spots.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 14, 2019
Though the Broncos would have been interested in having LaCosse back as a backup option on a short-term deal, he opted to take a two-year contract with the New England Patriots.
That’s not a bad move at all on his part.
Next. Broncos filling most glaring needs. dark
LaCosse got a multi-year deal from a Super Bowl contender at a position where he has a legitimate chance at playing time this year.