Denver Broncos: Entire rookie class unsigned with camp looming
The Denver Broncos have not yet signed a single member of their 2020 NFL Draft class.
The COVID-19 pandemic has really done a lot to affect the sports world, and for the Denver Broncos, one thing that is particularly important at this point in time is the contract status of their 2020 NFL Draft class.
Not just a few players or first-round pick Jerry Jeudy, but every player in the class.
The Broncos typically linger a little bit with getting their rookies agreed to contracts after they are drafted, but this much of a delay is unprecedented in the John Elway era.
The Broncos could simply be protecting themselves from players suffering non-football injuries before getting a hefty signing bonus or something like that, but rookie contracts are slotted and, for the most part, don’t change year-to-year.
Rookies are slated to report to camp on Thursday, July 23. They don’t necessarily have to be signed to report to camp, but the Broncos will certainly want them all there to get their first on-field work of the 2020 offseason at the team facility.
With rookies reporting on July 23, one would think the team would start to get a little sense of urgency in getting this 10-man class under contract.
The Broncos’ 2020 rookie class is going to be crucial to the team’s success in the 2020 season, especially their top four picks in the class.
Jerry Jeudy should be able to win a starting job sooner rather than later while KJ Hamler, Michael Ojemudia, and Lloyd Cushenberry could also be in contention for starting snaps early on.
Other teams around the league have already signed their entire rookie class, and while not every rookie besides Denver’s class has signed, it’s odd that none of the 10 players are under contract at this point.
Making matters even more difficult?
The team is closing down its facilities on Tuesday and Wednesday. Rookies report on Thursday.
As of Monday afternoon, absolutely none of the rookies have signed a contract. This means that none of them are obligated to show up despite training camp being a mandatory part of the offseason.
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Although these contracts will ultimately be signed some way, shape, or form (and can be agreed to offline on Tuesday or Wednesday), the Broncos’ business operation with the rookies and Justin Simmons is slightly off-putting, even considering the circumstances.