Denver Broncos: 4 guys who should go, 4 who should stay

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive stop against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 3: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive stop against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 17: Ronald Leary #65 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a first-quarter touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on October 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 17: Ronald Leary #65 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a first-quarter touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on October 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

RG Ron Leary: Stay or go?

The Broncos signed Ron Leary to a four-year deal back in the 2017 offseason in hopes that he would provide some stability to a struggling offensive line.

While Leary played well before getting injured in 2017, his play has dipped since then and his availability has been sporadic at best.

Although he’s been healthy most of the 2019 season, Leary has a club option of $9.375 million in 2020 and it becomes fully guaranteed five days after the new league year in March.

Because of the fact that the Broncos only have an $875,000 cap penalty if they release Leary, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he were the team’s most likely cap casualty next to Joe Flacco.

Unfortunately, Leary’s play has dictated this move and the Broncos simply can’t justify paying him almost $10 million next season with what he’s contributed on the field. Perhaps he could come back at a lower salary, but in all likelihood, this will be the final year for Leary in Denver and we’ll see someone else in the lineup at RG going forward.

Verdict: Go