/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56490433/usa_today_9599273.0.jpg)
It was reported today that the Denver Broncos have decided to release veteran safety T.J. Ward as they cut down their roster to 53 players. Well, this move did not sit well with some of the leaders of the locker room. Both Chris Harris Jr. and Brandon Marshall among others expressed their displeasure with this move on Twitter.
Ima miss my dawg @BossWard43
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) September 2, 2017
♂️
— Brandon Marshall (@BMarshh54) September 2, 2017
Going to miss my Dawg! Irreplaceable Passion, Leadership, and just a DOG on the field!! I've… https://t.co/egH6tJ5oe5
— Brandon Marshall (@BMarshh54) September 2, 2017
I'm really going to miss my brother TJ man damn
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) September 2, 2017
I'm going to miss @BossWard43 however @PhillyWill11 and @jsimms1119 I got y'all back let's grow and eat together
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) September 2, 2017
Mind blown
— Shaquil Barrett (@MOOCHIE048) September 2, 2017
Hate to see my brother @BossWard43 go. Huge part of our success as a defense. Don't forget this is a business first.
— Derek Wolfe (@Derek_Wolfe95) September 2, 2017
Earlier this week, Broncos star pass rusher Von Miller called the news that Ward might be released or traded “fake news”, so he must not be thrilled about this move either.
"I thought it was fake news. It's serious like that? It can't be that serious. T.J. has been a great player for us. ... You always get blindsided by stuff. But T.J.'s been great for us. I don't see any reason to -- you know, Mr. Elway and the guys upstairs, they push this organization in a great direction and they're going to continue to make championship moves for us. But it's gotta be fake news."
I’m sure other players in the locker room feel similarly about this move, so this will be a big early test for Head Coach Vance Joseph. He was brought in mostly for his leadership skills and he will face a tough challenge right off the bat. T.J. Ward was beloved by his teammates and leaves a void in leadership in that locker room.