Report: Malik Jackson turned down a Broncos contract offer and talks were tabled until after the Super Bowl

According to 9NEWS Denver's Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos offered defensive end Malik Jackson a contract offer sometime late into the 2015 regular season. This offer was turned by Jackson's people, and contract talks have since been tabled until after the Super Bowl.

SB 50 could be Malik Jackson's final Broncos game--in-season contract talks were tabled https://t.co/5gFTFZMcXd via @9News #9news #9sports

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) February 3, 2016

Malik Jackson is coming off three very good seasons for the Denver Broncos. He has turned into one of the better interior pass rushers in the entire NFL, and this a position coveted by all 32 teams. So with Jackson being an elite and young interior pass rusher, he will be a popular target for all 31 teams if he is allowed to hit free agency.

Jackson was asked if his soon to be free agent status is weighing on his mind this week and told reporters that he has embraced it.

"I think I embrace it. It’s one of those things that you know what it is. You have to go out there and be the best player you can because it’s the one chance you have to go out there and do something big for your family and the rest of your life. So for me, I just embrace it, I embrace the challenges every week, I embrace the chance to go out there and a chance to show John Elway that I like it here and that’s why I try to go out there and have good games."

Jackson is embracing his free agent status because he is looking for his family and daughter.

"I have a little girl now.  I think about her. Whether I talk about it or not, my contract is going to end after this game.’’

I believe that Malik Jackson and his agent are trying to make him the second highest paid 3-4 defensive end in the NFL. Right now, that title goes to New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan. He signed a $55 million dollar contract with the Saints and is receiving a $16 million dollar signing bonus from them. He is also getting nearly $23 million in guaranteed money from the Saints.

So that's the type of contract Jackson is probably looking for. Actually probably a little more than that. I'd guess something around 12 to 13 million dollars annually. That's just my guess.

Now the Broncos did sign defensive end Derek Wolfe to a four-year, $36.7 million contract` late in the year. Most assumed the Broncos would have to choose between keeping Wolfe or Jackson this offseason. With the news that Jackson turned down an offer and Wolfe signing one, did John Elway make his decision?

Jackson was asked if he believes that Super Bowl 50 will be his final game in a Denver Broncos uniform. He said he hopes not, but at the end of the day, both sides will need to agree to something.

"I don’t know, I hope not," Jackson said. "I think Peyton and I are talking about two different stages of last game. This is a business.  You and I both understand that. I want to stay here but at the end of the day we have to have an agreement. I hope we can come to an agreement but only time will tell."

With players like Von Miller, Brock Osweiler, Ronnie Hillman, Evan Mathis, and Danny Trevathan all hitting free agency here in a few weeks, the Denver Broncos will have some tough decisions to make.

Unless the Broncos and Jackson can come to an agreement on a deal that works for both sides, it appears that Jackson is playing in his final game for the Denver Broncos.