De’Vante Bausby release makes less sense after loss to Falcons

The release of De’Vante Bausby bit the Denver Broncos in Atlanta.

When cornerback De’Vante Bausby was cut by the Denver Broncos in October in order to make room for defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker, Broncos fans were confused and upset.

It just didn’t make any sense that Bausby was the cut the front office and the team felt necessary. However, Bausby had been shuffled around by the Broncos for much of the season at that point. He was cut at the beginning of the season, then re-signed, put onto the practice squad, and bobbled up and down from practice squad to the active roster at a couple of points.

At the time, it had seemed that Bausby would eventually be the mainstay corner on the roster over perhaps, a guy like Essang Bassey or Devontae Harris. Harris carried more experience, but Bausby had performed well when promoted to the active roster and called upon.

With rookie Michael Ojemudia also in the mix, it did make sense for a corner to be released.

Fans just didn’t expect it to be De’Vante Bausby.

Although Bausby had missed time due to injury here and there, when he was available, he made a difference, and at one point, had even been expected to start alongside Bryce Callahan and A.J. Bouye.

While it was likely the team hoped Bausby would clear waiver wires, and they could stash him on the practice squad unless needed again, that wasn’t to be. He was ultimately picked up by the Arizona Cardinals.

Broncos fans expressed their displeasure on social media, claiming that they felt a situation would arise where the organization may feel regret in letting Bausby leave Denver.

That situation arose on Sunday.

Down A.J. Bouye and Bryce Callahan to injury, the secondary became a lot younger and inexperienced, relying on the likes of Michael Ojemudia, Davontae Harris, and Essang Bassey.

Needless to say, it didn’t go well, especially for Davontae Harris, who allowed over 100+ receiving yards on the day, and who just seemed to be getting burned over and over again.

While Essang Bassey probably had the best game of the three, he has had very limited playing time, and it makes one wonder what the team’s justification for keeping him over Bausby would be. Or perhaps, why he was kept over Davontae Harris. Of the three of them, Bausby had arguably been the best performer.

Of course, nobody can predict the future, but fans truly felt the writing was on the wall when the Denver Broncos chose to part ways with De’Vante Bausby. And it appears the fans were right–a situation arose where the younger corners would be called upon, and it appears that the Broncos’ front office made a bad choice.

Perhaps De’Vante Bausby wouldn’t have made a difference today. However, it is undeniable that his absence was largely felt in this game. And unfortunately, now playing under former Broncos’ HC Vance Joseph in Arizona, De’Vante Bausby isn’t there for Denver to call upon their convenience anymore.