It's been a fascinating offseason for the Denver Broncos in 2024, one which has included some moves nobody could have expected just two short years ago. The Broncos have moved on from a number of prominent veterans, including quarterback Russell Wilson, who was acquired in the biggest trade in franchise history and signed to the richest contract in franchise history months later.
But the Broncos were right to move on from Wilson, along with a number of other prominent players this offseason.
Let's take a look at the thought process behind some of the moves that might leave some sting, but were totally necessary for the Broncos.
1. Russell Wilson, QB, Steelers
The Denver Broncos' decision to cut Russell Wilson in the 2024 offseason was not one taken lightly by the team. This was a decision that almost undoubtedly would have had to be cleared by ownership back around the time Sean Payton was initially hired as the head coach of the team. The decision to hire Sean Payton almost undoubtedly came along with the expectation that Payton would get to decide beyond the 2023 season whether or not Wilson was going to stick around.
When Wilson was benched with two games remaining last year, the writing was on the wall. The Broncos are taking on the biggest dead cap number in franchise history at $85 million over the next two years (including $53 million in 2024) and moving on from the biggest trade in franchise history, a trade that cost them two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and three players.
But there was just no more justifying keeping Wilson, especially with an early trigger to guarantee $39 million in 2025 salary on his contract this offseason. Wilson played better in 2024 under Sean Payton than he did under Nathaniel Hackett in 2022, but he was also mostly healthy this past season. Even with that considered, the offense was held back in the passing game and Payton wanted his own guy.
And he got him. The Broncos selected Oregon Ducks star Bo Nix with the 12th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It's a new era for the Broncos, and with Russell Wilson already 35 going on 36 this year, it was time for the team to make a drastic decision like this.
2. Lloyd Cushenbarry III, C, Titans
The Denver Broncos must feel really confident in the young options they have at the center position in 2023 7th-round pick Alex Forsyth and 2022 5th-round pick Luke Wattenberg, because Lloyd Cushenberry III was coming off of an outstanding year in 2023 for the team.
Cushenberry bolted for the Tennessee Titans in 2024 free agency on a deal that is worth $50 million in total money and $12.5 million in average annual value.
Not a bad pay day for a guy who we were talking about a year ago at this time possibly having his job taken by one of those young guys coming in. The first three years of Cushenberry's NFL career were not good, to say the least, and his breakout season came at just the right time.
The fact that Cushenberry had a breakout year in 2023 is both an indicator of his talent as well as the ability of this coaching staff to maximize said talent. If the staff can get the most out of Cushenberry, it's logical to think they could get the most out of someone like Forsyth. There have been rumors and reports that the only reason Forsyth fell to the 7th round instead of being picked in the 3rd-5th rounds was due to medical exams prior to the draft.
It helps that he snapped to Bo Nix at Oregon in 2022.
3. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Browns
The decision to move on from Jerry Jeudy was another move that couldn't have been easy for the team to make, but it was probably the right one.
As much as we all wanted to see Jeudy succeed in Denver as a former first-round pick, he fell out of favor rather quickly with the fan base due to some issues with drops in his rookie season, and seemingly never recovered in the eyes of many. Although it was extremely unfair for Jeudy to carry that reputation every year of his career, there just never seemed to be a great fit for him in Denver.
He was poorly utilized by Pat Shurmur. He got hurt in 2021. He was arguably at his best in 2022 with Nathaniel Hackett at the helm, but his biggest contributions came in spurts and not consistently. It just never felt like Jeudy could get any sort of consistency in Denver.
The Broncos picked up Jeudy's 5th-year option last offseason which is why they were able to trade him to the Cleveland Browns for a couple of late-round picks in 2024. Cleveland not only took a shot on Jeudy this year but signed him to a three-year, $52.5 million extension, the 21st overall contract valuation at receiver in the entire league.
The Broncos were simply in no position to be able to do something like that for Jeudy.
4. Jonathan Harris, DL, Dolphins
One of the worst areas on the Denver Broncos' roster last year was the defensive line, and it's not like the team didn't see it coming.
The Broncos brought in veteran Shelby Harris for a visit during camp last year, and a reunion there would have made a ton of sense. A lot more sense, that is, than the Broncos rolling with Jonathan Harris as a starter for the entirety of last season.
The Broncos' defense was dismantled in historic fashion last season, starting with their incompetence up front. You can't pin that directly on Jonathan Harris, but he was obviously the weakest link on that unit. The Broncos have addressed that area of the roster this offseason by making some more wholesale changes.
They signed Malcolm Roach in free agency, the #1 run defender among interior defensive linemen last year. They signed Angelo Blackson, a grizzled veteran who can also help against the run. They also traded for John Franklin-Myers, a former big-money free agent who is tough as nails and can disrupt from virtually any alignment up front.
Harris was a great story, but it was time for the Broncos to upgrade and move on.
5. Josey Jewell, LB, Panthers
The Denver Broncos got a tremendous value out of Josey Jewell, a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Iowa who became a quality starter for multiple contracts with the team.
Jewell just finished up a two-year extension with the Broncos this past season, and parlayed it into a new opportunity with the Carolina Panthers where he's reunited with Ejiro Evero (defensive coordinator) and Peter Hansen (LBs coach).
Jewell was rewarded for his play in Denver with a three-year deal worth nearly $19 million. Considering he's 30 years old this season, the deal is extremely favorable to the player. He entered the NFL known more for his instinctive play than his athletic traits, and now that he's getting older, the lack of athletic traits could become more and more pronounced.
The Broncos needed to get more athletic at the linebacker position, and they have done exactly that. They made the selection of Drew Sanders at #67 overall last year and they brought in former Seahawks third-round pick Cody Barton in free agency this offseason. Both of those guys are absolutely known for their athletic traits and speed.
Jewell was a fine player in Denver, but it was time for the team to upgrade in the speed department at that position next to Alex Singleton.