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According to Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway, soon to be free agent linebacker Danny Trevathan will be allowed to test the free-agent market this offseason.
#Broncos Elway said Trevathan will test the market. Team focusing on Von, Malik and Brock. Would still like Trevathan back.
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) February 25, 2016
With players like linebacker Von Miller, defensive end Malik Jackson and quarterback Brock Osweiler high on the Broncos priority list, they are likely letting Trevathan walk.
Elway does say that he would like to re-sign Trevathan, but that seems unlikely. I expect many teams, including the Bears and Giants to be after his services. His price tag will likely be too high for the Broncos.
During Trevathan's career with the Broncos, he totaled 282 tackles, 3 sacks, and 5 interceptions. His best season came in 2013 when he totaled 129 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 interceptions. This past season he played alongside Brandon Marshall and put up some impressive numbers. He totaled 109 tackles and 2 interceptions for the Broncos number one ranked defense.
This isn't the first time that Elway has let his starting inside linebacker go in free agency. He has let Wesley Woodyard and Nate Irving walk in the past. It just doesn't seem like Elway really puts too much stock into the inside linebacker position.
The highest draft pick Elway spent on an inside linebacker was a third rounder on Nate Irving back in 2011. Danny Trevathan was a 6th round pick, and Brandon Marshall was signed to the Broncos practice squad after being released from the Jaguars.
He hasn't spent big money on free inside linebacker either. He has gone with stop gaps like Keith Brooking and Paris Lenon in the past. He also let Wesley Woodyard, Nate Irving, and now likely Danny Trevathan walk in free agency.
It will be interesting to see if this trend continues this offseason. Will the Broncos look in-house to replace Trevathan? Guys like Todd Davis, Corey Nelson, and Zaire Anderson are potential options. Will he spend another late round draft pick on a linebacker and hope they turn out to be just like Trevathan? Could he spend a first or second round pick on a linebacker? Or will he just sign an aging vet as a one-year stop gap option instead of signing one of the top inside linebacker options?