Denver Broncos defensive lineman Kyle Peko has decided to opt-out of the 2020 season.
A number of players across the NFL are deciding to opt-out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first Denver Broncos player has made that decision.
That player is defensive lineman Kyle Peko, who was re-signed by the Broncos late last season after a stint with the Buffalo Bills.
#Broncos veteran DT Kyle Peko informed the team that he is opting out due to the Coronavirus pandemic, source said. He would have provided depth in Denver.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 28, 2020
Peko signed a two-year deal with the Broncos last year and was set to count $825,000 against the 2020 salary cap if he made the team, but the Broncos’ defensive line depth didn’t seem to indicate the chances for Peko were all that great.
At this point last year, Kyle Peko left Bills' camp to be with wife who was battling Hodgins Lymphoma. Per source, it's to be determined whether Peko will be granted $350K "high risk" designation or $150K voluntary. #9sports https://t.co/pfc1KzbEnd
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) July 28, 2020
There are undoubtedly some significant health concerns here for Peko, and the NFL has offered some financial stability in the midst of that. It will be interesting to see if he’s considered a high-risk designation as Mike Klis points out here with the situation surrounding not only him but his family at home.
Of course, the primary concern is the safety of Peko and his family. This decision can’t have been easy for him.
The Broncos’ top defensive linemen for the 2020 season are probably penciled in like this:
- Jurrell Casey
- Shelby Harris
- Mike Purcell
- Dre’Mont Jones
- DeMarcus Walker
- McTelvin Agim
Close behind those guys is new free agent addition Christian Covington, who could even be a little bit higher than we know based on the timing of when the Broncos brought him in and his track record.
All of that to say, Peko’s chances at making the 2020 roster would have required a huge training camp performance and beating out high draft picks or players who have guaranteed money on their 2020 salary already.
Although Peko would have provided some very good camp depth, his situation dictated a pretty significant decision considering his family’s health. It’s hard to blame him for evaluating the situation on the whole and coming to the conclusion that he did.
Hopefully Peko and his entire family are able to stay safe and healthy through this unprecedented time.