Derek Wolfe addresses free agency situation with Denver Broncos

Derek Wolfe addressed his free agency status with the Broncos to KOA Radio on Tuesday. What is the likelihood the Broncos will choose to retain him?

As of right now, Derek Wolfe’s future with the Denver Broncos is unknown.

His contract is up, and he is set to hit free agency. He has voiced his willingness and want to return to the Broncos, but as it goes, the price must be right for both parties.

Wolfe chatted with KOA News Radio of Denver and had this to say on his current status with the Broncos.

These definitely do not sound like the words of a man who is confident he will get the opportunity to return to the team he has played for his entire career. With Wolfe becoming a first-time unrestricted free agent, he knows his worth, and so do the Denver Broncos. It is just a matter of whether the Broncos are willing to pay him his worth or not.

One obvious concern that the Broncos may have when it comes to signing Wolfe is his health. Wolfe has suffered multiple injuries throughout the years, ranging from neck to elbow. Wolfe’s age may be another factor, as he just turned 30 on February 24th.

However, the reward outweighs the risk when it comes to Derek Wolfe. He has been an anchor to this defense, and has voiced on many occasions how much he loves playing for the Broncos and the city of Denver. He took a hometown discount in 2015. Wolfe was having a career year in 2019, posting a career high seven sacks and would likely have added more if he had not suffered that season-ending elbow injury in Week 13.

Another factor to consider is the current state of the Denver Broncos’ defensive line as a unit. The Broncos will have to make decisions on the entire unit, more or less, with the contracts of Shelby Harris, Mike Purcell and Adam Gotsis expiring, although it has already been decided that Gotsis’ tenure with the team has finished.

While the Broncos suffered some growing pains with a new coaching staff in 2019, this defensive line suited the needs of defensive mastermind Vic Fangio well. By mid-season, he was able to get the most out of this unit that struggled to begin the season.

With Shelby Harris likely too expensive, Gotsis out of the door and Purcell unclear, it would be un-wise to completely start over when retaining Wolfe at the very least is a realistic option. If the Broncos address the need for defensive line in the draft, Wolfe would serve as a veteran mentor.

Wolfe has not been greedy, but it makes sense for him to secure the bag while he still can. If the Broncos are hoping for Wolfe to go through free agency untouched to make a later decision him, they will be too late.

If the Broncos do not pay him, someone else will. Although there is pessimism surrounding the probability of his return, let’s hope things work out and Derek Wolfe will still be a Bronco in 2020.