Terrance Knighton seeking new deal

[BobGnarly]

e Broncos have a number of free agent problems to tackle in the next month - Eric Decker, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Knowshon Moreno, and Robert Ayers, just to name a few - but one player who is under contract in 2014 may be adding his contract situation to the mix.

That player is standout defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, who signed a two-year deal with the Broncos in 2013. According to the report, Knighton and his reps believe he has outperformed his contract and seek a new deal.

Let's get one thing out of the way right off the bat: assuming the report is true, Pot Roast is right. He outperformed his two-year deal with the Broncos a year ago. Knighton made $1.75 million in 2013. For that, the Broncos got four sacks, 25 QB hurries, and a +24.1 grade from ProFootballFocus.com, the ninth best grade for a DT in the league. Knighton reportedly lost 30 lbs. at the Broncos' request before the season began, then stepped up and became a locker room leader. His engagement with the press and the fans was first-class. That's an extremely good return on Denver's investment.

Looking ahead, Knighton's 2014 salary of $2.75 million - a significant bump from 2013, for certain - still only ranks 24th in the league among defensive tackles. That ranking is before free agency begins and a number of other contracts find guys slotted potentially ahead of Knighton.

Still, there are a number of guys outperforming their contracts with the Broncos - most, like Knighton, set to become free agents in 2014 and 2015.

I don't have a strong opinion either way here. I'm fine if the Broncos keep Knighton on his current deal, and I'm fine if they extend him now, too. He's certainly earned it, but it's the reality of the NFL that players don't always get what they earned right away. With one more season like 2013, Knighton will certainly be hitting paydirt - either with the Broncos or someone else.

I say they lock him up whenever is needed, not often a good DT becomes available

 

[cdumler7]

Yeah I would say go ahead and give him a new contract. I would make sure it is full of incentives to keep him motivated but the guy definitely stepped up when we needed him most. Even in the Super Bowl the guy actually dominated the Seattle OL and Lynch didn't really do a whole lot running the football in that game. I think him and Sly next to each other can finally give the Broncos the much needed DT duo we have been wanting for years. Also as many FA as the Broncos have this season people seem to forget that in a couple of years Peyton comes off the books as well as Champ possibly even this year. That is over $30 million in cap space. All the Broncos really have to do is back load a few contracts where the biggest hit comes when those guys leave. The Broncos could easily sign him to say a 4 year $16 million contract where say this first year he is still making what he would have anyway of $2.75 and say in a couple of years that bumps up to $5 million on the cap hit.

 

[WalkerBoh]

If we're going to keep Knighton, it'll be at a rate higher than that $2.75 MM. He'll want some guarantees included, and probably some sort of signing bonus.

I imagine they can recoup most of that increase through a decrease in Bailey's salary. Even if we drop Bailey this season, there would be no dead money to deal with, so it would be a clean break. Champ's definitely not going to get $10 MM from Denver in 2014.

 

[cdumler7]

If we're going to keep Knighton, it'll be at a rate higher than that $2.75 MM. He'll want some guarantees included, and probably some sort of signing bonus.

I imagine they can recoup most of that increase through a decrease in Bailey's salary. Even if we drop Bailey this season, there would be no dead money to deal with, so it would be a clean break. Champ's definitely not going to get $10 MM from Denver in 2014.

Really the Broncos this season are sitting pretty nice Cap Wise. Now given what they do this season will determine next season as we have more big names coming up after this season.

Right now they can cut/reduce Champ's contract like you said with no dead money.
Kuper is another that most likely get's cut as he saves us around $4 million
My guess is the Broncos cut either Dreesen or Tamme as that is another about $3 million in savings

The other that is being discussed is that of Welker. That would save us about $6 million. Not a fan of this one as I think another year with Peyton and the guy will put up somewhere in the 100-120 catches this next season.

So essentially the Broncos could get around $30 million in cap space with just a few moves or restructures. There is talk that Peyton might restructure as well.

 

[BobGnarly]

 

[BobGnarly]

 

[Miked383]

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I say they lock him up whenever is needed, not often a good DT becomes available

I think he certainly out performed his deal and played great down the stretch. We have had a tough time in Denver getting quality DTs for a while. That being said I don't see the Broncos giving him big money right now, he is under contract for another year at a team friendly $2.75 mil and if he performs well the Broncos can franchise him the following year. If there is some kind of a deal I see it as being a few year extention for top 10 DT money but it wont be a big long term deal with a ton of guaranteed $.

Elway has shyed away from giving out those big long term deals to players, it keeps dead money off the cap. I think the only big, long term deals Elway has given were to Manning and Clady, it means we have more free agents every year but well worth it if he keeps hitting like he has been.

 

[grim rpr]

I would really hope Welker is not in the discussion of lowering his salary, he is every bit worth it but pork chop deserves more and bailey much less

 

[WalkerBoh]

I would really hope Welker is not in the discussion of lowering his salary, he is every bit worth it but pork chop deserves more and bailey much less

Got me. I have no clue where it says Welker is in discussions to lower salary.

I'd bet money that Bailey won't make $10 MM next season though. That right there will free up enough space for Pot Roast.

 

[cdumler7]

Got me. I have no clue where it says Welker is in discussions to lower salary.

I'd bet money that Bailey won't make $10 MM next season though. That right there will free up enough space for Pot Roast.

There are rumors that the Broncos will think about cutting Welker and then signing Edelman of the Patriots. Right now Welker is expected to make around $8 million against the cap and his dead money would be $2 million giving us $6 million in extra cap space if we so desired.

 

[WalkerBoh]

There are rumors that the Broncos will think about cutting Welker and then signing Edelman of the Patriots. Right now Welker is expected to make around $8 million against the cap and his dead money would be $2 million giving us $6 million in extra cap space if we so desired.

That rumor sounds really fishy to me. Welker is much better than Edelman ever was or will be. On top of that, we could draft a better replacement to Welker than Edelman would provide, and probably cheaper and longer term. Plus, we have a good amount of cap space already, and there are more expendable players on our roster that would provide a LOT more cap space w/out as much dead money. Plus, a move like that, on top of possibly losing Decker, wouldn't sit well with Manning I imagine. Naww.... just doesn't make sense, which makes me believe this is one of those fan started rumors that run rampant this time of year.

 

[cdumler7]

That rumor sounds really fishy to me. Welker is much better than Edelman ever was or will be. On top of that, we could draft a better replacement to Welker than Edelman would provide, and probably cheaper and longer term. Plus, we have a good amount of cap space already, and there are more expendable players on our roster that would provide a LOT more cap space w/out as much dead money. Plus, a move like that, on top of possibly losing Decker, wouldn't sit well with Manning I imagine. Naww.... just doesn't make sense, which makes me believe this is one of those fan started rumors that run rampant this time of year.

Oh I agree with you...Slow news time so somebody is just sitting around trying to think of a way to get viewers. Here is the link if you want to read why they think this could happen...

Broncos have decision to make about Welker | ProFootballTalk

 

[iknowftbll]

That rumor sounds really fishy to me. Welker is much better than Edelman ever was or will be. On top of that, we could draft a better replacement to Welker than Edelman would provide, and probably cheaper and longer term. Plus, we have a good amount of cap space already, and there are more expendable players on our roster that would provide a LOT more cap space w/out as much dead money. Plus, a move like that, on top of possibly losing Decker, wouldn't sit well with Manning I imagine. Naww.... just doesn't make sense, which makes me believe this is one of those fan started rumors that run rampant this time of year.

I would really like to see Decker return. To have 5 players each go for 10+ TDs and then bring 4 of them back would help this offense maintain its historic levels. I think Moreno will be gone, but if they could bring Decker back, they will be set on offense, with Ball emerging as a legitimate ball carrier and receiving threat.

I also agree bring back Pot Roast should be a big priority. I'm not sure how Elway is going to juggle so many short term deals, like his and Shaun Phillips as well. Miller returning from injury will affect his decision, but it is also fair to question how ready to go he'll be based on the nature and timing of the injury.

With all that said, this team is really in a position to make another run. If the offense is only 85% as good as this past season, it'll still probably be the best in the league. Getting improvement on this year's defense should be a big priority. Pass rush and improved secondary play will make this team nearly unstoppable in 2014.

 

[WalkerBoh]

Oh I agree with you...Slow news time so somebody is just sitting around trying to think of a way to get viewers. Here is the link if you want to read why they think this could happen...

Broncos have decision to make about Welker | ProFootballTalk

Which would allow the Broncos to pursue, say, Patriots slot receiver Julian Edelman. Which in turn would allow Welker to return to New England.

This right here should be enough to credit this as simply media speculation. Florio and Co. are really bad at this sort of thing. Must have had a looming deadline, and nothing to write about, so he published this instead.

I would really like to see Decker return. To have 5 players each go for 10+ TDs and then bring 4 of them back would help this offense maintain its historic levels. I think Moreno will be gone, but if they could bring Decker back, they will be set on offense, with Ball emerging as a legitimate ball carrier and receiving threat.

I have a feeling Decker is going to price himself out of Denver. Given the set of receivers we have though, I think Decker is the one we can most afford to lose, and still not lose much on offense. I'd like to see him stay too, and it would be great if he did, but I'm just not feeling it right now.

 

[cdumler7]

This right here should be enough to credit this as simply media speculation. Florio and Co. are really bad at this sort of thing. Must have had a looming deadline, and nothing to write about, so he published this instead.



I have a feeling Decker is going to price himself out of Denver. Given the set of receivers we have though, I think Decker is the one we can most afford to lose, and still not lose much on offense. I'd like to see him stay too, and it would be great if he did, but I'm just not feeling it right now.

Yeah I think Decker is quickly on his way out. There is speculation that he will get somewhere in the $9-12 million range on the open market and the Broncos just can't afford to give that to him with so many other players in need of contracts that in my opinion are more important to the team.

I do think the Broncos could go find a decent replacement for him like James Jones or Boldin would add a nice toughness to this offense that can fill in while the Broncos find a more permanent solution. Throw in this is probably the deepest WR class in the draft in a long time the Broncos could find a mid-round WR that could do just fine.

 

[iknowftbll]

I have a feeling Decker is going to price himself out of Denver. Given the set of receivers we have though, I think Decker is the one we can most afford to lose, and still not lose much on offense. I'd like to see him stay too, and it would be great if he did, but I'm just not feeling it right now.

Yeah, I fear you are probably right. At the same time I agree with you that they can probably survive losing him without it becoming too big a deal. I imagine they'll bring in a replacement rather than bring Caldwell up to fill that spot. But Caldwell is under-rated, and could probably be a legit #2 on a lot of teams so maybe I shouldn't sell him short.

 

[MrMoJoRisin63]

I hate this and I hate when teams fall for this ploy. How many times have teams offered a new deal only for the recipients numbers to drop off. Can teams take money away or shorten the contract if they don't play well.?

 

[WalkerBoh]

I hate this and I hate when teams fall for this ploy. How many times have teams offered a new deal only for the recipients numbers to drop off. Can teams take money away or shorten the contract if they don't play well.?

In our case, players seem to get season ending injuries shortly after signing big deals

 

[WalkerBoh]

Yeah, I fear you are probably right. At the same time I agree with you that they can probably survive losing him without it becoming too big a deal. I imagine they'll bring in a replacement rather than bring Caldwell up to fill that spot. But Caldwell is under-rated, and could probably be a legit #2 on a lot of teams so maybe I shouldn't sell him short.

On the plus side, I imagine the draft compensation for Decker would be fairly decent.....

 

[MrMoJoRisin63]

In our case, players seem to get season ending injuries shortly after signing big deals

Another point of consideration. It's one thing IMO when the team sees the talent and tries to restructure but when players take the whole I will sit out nine weeks crap it's just wrong.