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The Denver Broncos have signed nose tackle Mike Purcell to a contract extension that will keep him in Denver through the 2023 season. Purcell was playing on a second-round tender this season and, according to Mike Klis of 9News, that salary will remain in effect. The extension begins next year, but Purcell will get that signing bonus this year.
Purcell was making $3.259 million this year as a 2nd-round tendered restricted free agent. Expectation is that stays in place but signing bonus on extension would pad the bank account. #9sports https://t.co/Cf1osBvWPN
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) October 6, 2020
Most of us remember how poorly the Broncos run defense was early on last season during Vic Fangio’s first four games as head coach. He realigned the defensive front with the biggest change being the addition of Mike Purcell in the starting lineup. As Klis mentioned in his tweet, the move stabilized the defensive front and the Broncos have been a top run defense ever since.
Purcell, 29, was an undrafted free agent in 2013 when he joined the San Francisco 49ers where he spent four seasons on the teams practice squad. He was coached by then defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. He then was signed and cut four times in 2017 by the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, and New England Patriots before finally signing and sticking with the Kansas City Chiefs through 2018. From there, Purcell looked to be on his way out of the NFL as he played for the Salt Lake Stallions of the AAF before finally signing with the Denver Broncos in 2019.
It’s been a long road for Purcell, but he has finally found a home in Denver.