In the 2017 offseason, the Denver Broncos had a major decision to make in regards to offensive tackle Russell Okung.
After signing him to a one-year contract with nothing guaranteed and a cap charge under $6 million, the Broncos had a four-year team option on Okung’s contract that would essentially pay him an average of over $10 million per year in salary.
That contract language actually screwed the Broncos over in the 2017 NFL Draft compensatory pick formula, and the Broncos did not get multiple third round picks like they were expected to.
After declining Okung’s team option, the Broncos watched as their rival Los Angeles Chargers swooped in and paid Okung a very large contract, one of the largest any unrestricted free agent received in 2017, as a matter of fact.