The Broncos opted not to use the franchise tag on defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones before Tuesday afternoon’s deadline, an expected outcome that moves the 26-year-old one procedural step closer to free agency.
Jones and Denver still have a week’s worth of exclusive negotiating window remaining, but Broncos general manager George Paton indicated last week at the NFL Scouting Combine that Jones is “going to hit the market” and that he’s had “very positive” conversations with Jones and his agent.
“I’ve had a number of conversations with Dre’Mont. Dre’Mont is a very good player,” Paton said.