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According to 9NEWS Denver's Mike Klis, the Dolphins' offer sheet to restricted free agent C.J. Anderson contains a signing bonus of $5.25 million that must be paid by March 31. This means if the Broncos match Miami's offer sheet they would have to pony up a $5.25 million dollar check for C.J. Anderson by March 31st.
To match or not to match: Only two NFL running backs will get more 2016 pay than C.J. Anderson https://t.co/t5FyDgv7Xe via @@9NEWS #9news
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 13, 2016
The Broncos will have a tough decision to make in the next 48 hours. They will have to decide by 4 p.m. ET if they will match the Miami Dolphin's offer sheet or if they will let Anderson walk without any compensation in return.
According to Klis, Anderson's deal breaks down like this.
2016: $5.25 million signing bonus due March 31 (guaranteed). $675,000 (guaranteed), $100,000 workout bonus. Total: $6 million
2017: $2.9 million ($1.7 million guaranteed). $100,000 workout bonus. Total: $3 million
2018: $4.5 million (not guaranteed)
2019: $4.5 million (not guaranteed)
That's a big chunk of cash for a running back who has yet to top 1,000 yards in a season. It's unknown whether or not the Broncos plan on matching the Dolphin's offer sheet, but I do not think they will.
The Broncos have more important needs to figure out before agreeing to pay Anderson $6 million dollars in 2016,
First they need to figure out who their quarterback is. Will they trade for San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick? Will they pay free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick the money he wants, or will they invest a high draft pick on a quarterback in the 2016 NFL Draft?
Plus the Broncos have needs at tight end, running back, offensive line, safety, linebacker, and at defensive end. I believe General Manager will decide that money will be better used elsewhere.
Some potential free agent running backs available for the Broncos are Alfred Morris, Arian Foster, James Starks, Chris Johnson, and LeGarrette Blount. Also, the Broncos could target a rookie running back early in the 2016 NFL Draft.