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What Denver Broncos should do with each of their upcoming free agents

By Travis Wakeman

Oct 13, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson (45) enters the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson (45) enters the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos, Kareem Jackson
Kareem Jackson #22 of the Denver Broncos walks on the field during the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Football Team at Empower Field At Mile High on October 31, 2021, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /

The Broncos have five players on this list in the secondary, so some of Paton’s biggest offseason decisions will involve these players right here.

Kareem Jackson

The Broncos were faced with this decision last year and they chose to bring Jackson back. Then they found Caden Sterns in the draft.

It’s not that Jackson hasn’t been good during his time in Denver, because he’s played great for the most part. But Sterns looks like a future star and one who will be far cheaper than the veteran Jackson.

Decision: Move on

Kyle Fuller

This is probably the easiest decision on the entire list.

Because of Fuller’s time with the Chicago Bears, where he was familiar with Vic Fangio, this looked like a slam-dunk signing by the Broncos when the deal was made. But it wasn’t.

Fuller wasn’t worth anywhere near the $9.5 million he signed for to play for the team for one year and even if he took a massive pay cut, the Broncos just need to come up with better options.

Decision: Move on

Bryce Callahan

Callahan was another Fangio guy and though his 2020 season was solid, he regressed quite in bit this past season, one in which his salary ballooned to $6.5 million.

It might be difficult for the Broncos to move on from Fuller and Callahan, but the team will need to rely on Patrick Surtain, Ronald Darby and Michael Ojemudia while finding at least one other corner in free agency or the draft.

That said, the team still needs to have good, experienced options and if Callahan understands that his poor 2021 season results in a short-term extension for about what he made last season, if not even less, then bring him back. But if another team wants to throw a big bag of money at him, let them.

Decision: Keep

Nate Hairston

Hairston has been with the Broncos the past two seasons but has been buried on the depth chart and bounced around between the practice squad and active roster.

The team will likely look elsewhere for depth options.

Decision: Move on

Mike Ford

Ford was brought in for his special teams prowess and every team needs a big contributor in that area. He likely won’t ever impact the team in other areas, at least not in a major way, but he should get another crack at being the teams special teams ace.

Decision: Keep

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