The Denver Broncos are currently over the 2024 cap number, so they will have to make various moves to give themselves some breathing room in the coming season. According to Over The Cap, the team is currently $23.670 million over the 2024 cap number. That may seem like a huge problem, but the Broncos are also a team that has a ton of contractual flexibility.
They can easily erase their surplus in 2024 and can even give themselves millions to spend. The team surely isn’t going to be as active in free agency in 2024 as they were in 2023, but they could make some lower-tier free agency signings. Signing cheaper players who fit what Sean Payton wants to do might be the Broncos’ plan of attack in a couple of months.
I do think, however, the team can make a splash signing, especially on defense. Denver has needs all along that side of the ball, and the free agent market is currently favorable for the Broncos to add on that side of the ball.
Let’s look at how easily the team can create $50 million in cap space
The Broncos can trade Jerry Jeudy
The Broncos should probably pull the plug on the Jerry Jeudy experiment. I think both sides should seek a fresh start. Jeudy has had his flashes since being drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, having a 1,000-yard season in 2022. Jeudy’s skillset does profile nicely in Sean Payton’s offense, and he is set to enter his age-25 season.
There is reason to keep Jerry Jeudy, especially with the uncertainty among the other WRs on the roster, but the Broncos should get a draft pick back for his services, paying the way for Marvin Mims Jr and perhaps a rookie draft pick to stabilize the WR room. Trading Jeudy can save the Denver Broncos $12,987,000
2024 Cap Savings: $12,987,000
The Denver Broncos can trade Justin Simmons
Justin Simmons turns 31 during the 2024 NFL Season. He’s got one more year left on his deal, and probably would not be re-signed by the Broncos next offseason. This is the time to trade Simmons. He’s been with the Broncos since 2016 and has never experienced a playoff game in his NFL career. And with another strong season in 2023, the Broncos can probably yield a respectable draft pick.
A team like the Houston Texans or Detroit Lions, two teams who are clearly in a win-now mode and have reason to add in free agency, would make a ton of sense for Justin Simmons. The former third-round pick is currently the longest-tenured player on the Denver Broncos, and I am sure he’d like to be a part of a winning season in Denver, especially with how much work he has put in for the team.
However, a trade in 2024 saves the Broncos $14,500,000, so the move is a no-brainer.
2024 Cap Savings: $27,487,000
The Denver Broncos can cut Jarrett Stidham
The Denver Broncos can do better with their bridge QB than Jarrett Stidham. There are going to be better QB free agents this offseason, so the Broncos should not hesitate to upgrade. Someone like Jacoby Brissett or even Gardner Minshew make much more sense than Stidham, who got two starts for the Broncos in 2023.
Stidham signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Broncos last offseason. Cutting him saves the Broncos $5 million in 2024.
2024 Cap Savings: $32,487,000
The Denver Broncos can cut DJ Jones
A defensive tackle by the name of A’Shawn Robinson made half of what DJ Jones made this season and gave his team, the New York Giants, the same production as Jones did. DJ Jones is yet another failed free agent signing by GM George Paton. Jones was signed to help the Broncos stop the run.
Well, they were the second-worst run defense in the NFL this year, and the team simply needs more juice on the inside. DJ Jones possesses little to no pass-rush threat. Re-working this unit should be a priority in 2024. Cutting DJ Jones could save the Denver Broncos $9,970,000 in 2024. This is another no-brainer move.
2024 Cap Savings: $42,457,000
The Denver Broncos can extend Garett Bolles
Garett Bolles had another strong season in 2023, and this comes after returning from a broken ankle suffered in the first-half of the 2022 season. Bolles is older than you think; he turns 32 this offseason, but for an offensive lineman, that isn’t exactly an issue. Bolles has one year left on his deal, and the Broncos should spring on an extension to keep him in Denver for the rest of his viable years in the NFL.
Garett Bolles went from being the worst left tackle in the NFL to now being one of the better ones. It’s a great story for Bolles, who has been with the team since 2017. I’m sure he would also love to finally experience a winning season with the Broncos and be a part of the team that turns it around. Bolles has earned an extension, and that could save the Broncos $11,632,000 in 2024, according to Over The Cap
2024 Cap Savings: $54,089,000
The Denver Broncos can extend Courtland Sutton
Another long-time Bronco who has earned an extension is Courtland Sutton, who was the best red-zone target in the NFL this year. Sutton made numerous circus catches during the 2024 NFL Season, and was instrumental in the Broncos five-game winning streak. Sutton, like Bolles, has one more year left on his deal.
Frankly, there is no reason why the Broncos should not extend the player unless a good trade deal is available for the team. Sutton is clearly not going to rack up a ton of yards, but he’s become a solid target for the plethora of Broncos QBs and had 10 touchdowns this year. If the Broncos extend Sutton, the team can save $9,580,000
2024 Cap Savings: $63,669,000
The Denver Broncos can create a ton of cap space in 2024.
