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You may have noticed, Peyton Manning retired, Brock Osweiler jumped ship and signed with the Houston Texans, star pass rusher Malik Jackson signed a huge deal with the Jaguars, Danny Trevathan signed with John Fox and the Chicago Bears, C.J. Anderson is probably bolting to Miami, and if the season started today, Butt fumble would be the starter of the defending Super Bowl Champions.
Did I miss anything?
The joy of winning the Super Bowl has quickly turned into panic, anger, and just a bunch of knee-jerking craziness from the Broncos faithful.
As MHR's Ian St. Clair said yesterday, there is no reason to panic. I repeat, there is no reason to panic.
The Broncos are run by John Elway. The GOAT, the guy who built this team from scratch and turned it into a Super Bowl contender. A few bumps in the road doesn't change that.
Yes, the Broncos have lost a lot of great players this offseason, and could lose a few more, but they will replace them. John Elway always does.
DeMarcus Ware has done great things for the Broncos since signing, but they have Shaquil Barrett and 2015 first round pick Shane Ray waiting in the wings. Both are cheaper and younger options behind him. It makes sense to move on from the older, highly paid, injury prone veteran.
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C.J. Anderson has flashed and played well in big moments for the Broncos. Without him, the Broncos wouldn't have won Super Bowl 50, and I will be forever grateful for his play, but he is replaceable as well. Gary Kubiak has a history of turning backs into 1,000 yards rushers(one thing Anderson has never done). If he walks, look for the Broncos to sign someone like Alfred Morris and a rookie to replace his production. Kubiak always finds a guy and he will again.
Danny Trevathan was the next Wesley Woodyard for the Broncos. A late round, former Kentucky linebacker to become the next great Denver Broncos linebacker. He overcame injuries to have a successful 2015 season for the Broncos. He signed a well deserved big deal with the Chicago Bears. That leaves the Broncos without a starting linebacker to play outside of Brandon Marshall. Look for Todd Davis, Corey Nelson, and Zaire Anderson to compete for that job.
Malik Jackson signed a huge deal with the Jaguars, and the Broncos really do not have anyone currently on the roster to replace what he did. Kenny Anunike can, but can he stay healthy first? Thankfully the Broncos will be able to draft one or two defensive lineman in this year's draft class to help replace Jackson's production. Also, look for Elway to make a signing during the second wave of free agency. Maybe a Nick Fairley?
No Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler? No problem. John Elway will find his guy, and if you think Mark Sanchez will be starting week one on a John Elway team you need to reevaluate your decision making. John Elway will find a starter, and a good one. Whether that be trading for Colin Kaepernick or trading up for Paxton Lynch in the NFL Draft, or some move that we do not see coming.
In short, all I am saying is R-E-L-A-X. The Broncos have a ton of young talent on this roster just waiting for their chance to be the next Malik Jackson or Danny Trevathan. John Elway will sign the right guys and draft the right guys and the team will continue winning.
Ian said yesterday and I am saying it again today. Things will be fine, they always are.
Enjoy your Saturday Broncos Country, John Elway is in control.
Horse Tracks:
Cleveland Browns waive QB Johnny Manziel - NFL.com
The Johnny Manziel era in Cleveland ended Friday. The Browns released the embattled quarterback less than two years after selecting him in the first round of the NFL draft.
Winners, losers from NFL free agency's first week - NFL.com
Plenty of players found new homes this week, but which players and teams came out best in the free-for-all? Gregg Rosenthal examines who won and lost over free agency's first three days.
Mark Sanchez acquired by Broncos in trade with Eagles - NFL.com
The Broncos have traded for Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez in exchange for a 2017 conditional pick. Could Sanchez actually get an opportunity to start for the Broncos?
Indianapolis Colts sign former Packers QB Scott Tolzien - NFL.com
The Colts signed former Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien to back up Andrew Luck following Matt Hasselbeck's retirement. Find out what Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy had to say about Tolzien.
Niners prepared to retain Kap if trade cannot be worked out - NFL.com
While the Broncos and Browns attempt to work out a trade for Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers are prepping to retain the quarterback if a deal is not completed in the next two days, Michael Silver writes.
Robert Ayers agrees to 3-year, $21M deal with Bucs - NFL.com
Former first-round draft pick Robert Ayers agrees to a three-year, $21 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a source told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
Brent Grimes signs two-year deal with Buccaneers - NFL.com
Brent Grimes is heading up I-75 for his next NFL gig. The Buccaneers have signed the former Miami Dolphins cornerback, NFL Media's Rand Getlin reports
Roundup: Amukamara signs 1-year deal with Jags - NFL.com
Former Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara will sign a one-year contract with the Jaguars, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday. Plus, other transactions we're tracking.
Ladarius Green: Steelers fans played role in my signing - NFL.com
Ladarius Green acknowledged this week that the large and vocal contingent of Steelers fans at a Chargers home game in October actually played a role in his free-agency decision.
NFL awards 33 compensatory picks to 13 teams for 2016 draft - NFL.com
The NFL on Friday awarded 33 compensatory draft picks to 13 teams. The Cowboys, Patriots and 49ers received the most picks, with 4 apiece.
Chris Hogan signs offer sheet with Patriots - NFL.com
Former Buffalo Bills wideout Chris Hogan, a restricted free agent, has signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Patriots. The Bills declined to match the Pats' offer.
NFL scout: I'd trade our defense for 2015 Ohio State defense - NFL.com
An NFL scout told NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah that he prefers Ohio State's 2015 defense to his own team's defense.
Ranking top available quarterbacks via draft, free agency, trade - NFL.com
This isn't a great year to be in need of a quarterback, but there are a few options. Gil Brandt ranks the top quarterbacks available via the draft, free agency and trade.
San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick wants to play for new Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson
Current 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick wants to play for new Browns coach Hue Jackson, according to multiple sources.
Manziel: We all hoped we were building a champion in Cleveland | ProFootballTalk
The Browns finally cut the cord on quarterback Johnny Manziel Friday with a short release noting his stats from two seasons with the team and ignoring all the ancillary reasons why he's being released two years after being drafted in the first round.
Sanchez arrival doesn’t end potential pursuit of Kaepernick | ProFootballTalk
Yes, the Broncos have acquired quarterback Mark Sanchez from the Eagles. No, it doesn't mean the process is over. However, as one source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT, it does mean that chatter of an imminent trade for quarterback Colin Kaepernick (or other moves) should die down.
Sean Spence visits the Dolphins | ProFootballTalk
Free agent linebacker Sean Spence is visiting Miami. A league source tells PFT that Spence has a meeting with the Dolphins tonight. A 2012 third-round pick of the Steelers, Spence missed his first two seasons in the NFL with injuries.
NFL employee calls for NFL to blackball Johnny Manziel | ProFootballTalk
With the Browns (finally) dumping quarterback Johnny Manziel, the next question becomes whether someone else will give Manziel his latest second chance.
Jets visit with Jermaine Gresham | ProFootballTalk
When the Jets weren't meeting with players who have played with the Bears on Friday, they were meeting with one who visited with the Bears this week. According to multiple reports, tight end Jermaine Gresham met with the Jets. He visited with the Bears as well this week.