With the regular season over, the Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos have turned their attention to the offseason. The team's first priority is re-signing its own players, and the Broncos have several critical contributors they need to bring back next season. The team also a few that could end up being cap casualties, especially since money is tight.
The Broncos have $11 million in cap space at the moment, so the team will need to free up space in order to sign players. The Broncos have a few players whose contracts don't match their level of play, and they are prime candidates to be released. With that in mind, here are five players the Broncos could cut this offseason.
QB Peyton Manning
Manning is on the greatest QBs in history, but he won't be back in Denver next year. Manning struggled for much of the season and has a massive $21.5 million cap hit. The Broncos can save a much-needed $19 million by cutting Manning. The same amount would be saved if he retires, and that's likely the outcome Denver would prefer. With Brock Osweiler a pending free agent, the Broncos need money to pay Osweiler. If Manning doesn't retire, expect the Broncos to cut him.
TE Owen Daniels
Unlike Manning, Daniels' could stay in Denver. He was average this season for the Broncos, but the team does have Virgil Green and maybe even Jeff Heuerman waiting in the wings. The biggest reason Daniels could be cut is that dumping him would save the team $2.5 million in cap space. They need every dollar they can get, and Daniels might not be worth that much. For more Broncos news, download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app.
OT Ryan Clady
Clady has battled injuries far too often in recent season and has a $10.1 million cap hit. Cutting him would save the team nearly $9 million. While the Broncos could get Clady to take a pay cut, which might be the best option. He's talented, but the injuries make it tough to trust him. If Clady doesn't take a sizable pay cut, expect the Broncos to simply cut him and save that cap space.
OG Louis Vasquez
Denver needs offensive line help and Vasquez was poor last season. Evan Mathis is a free agent and the team would like to bring him back, despite his age. Cutting him would save the team $5.5 million. Vasquez didn't look like a starter last season and the Broncos could use that money to pay Mathis. For more Broncos rumors, download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app.
OLB DeMarcus Ware
The Broncos need to re-sign Von Miller, and want to bring back DE Malik Jackson and MLB Danny Trevathan. With Ware's current $11.67 million cap hit, it might not be possible to bring everyone back. Denver could try to get Ware to take a pay cut, although the Cowboys did the same thing before cutting Ware. He'll turn 34 this offseason, so retiring is also an option. Denver would save $10 million by cutting Ware and they have young, promising players in Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray waiting in the wings. The release of Ware is a serious possibility for Denver this offseason.
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