Nov 13, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (7) pushes Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) attempting to make a catch and is called for pass interference during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Browns to acquire WR Jerry Jeudy from Broncos

The Cleveland Browns have agreed to acquire wide receiver Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos for a pair of draft picks, multiple outlets reported Saturday.

The Broncos will receive fifth- and sixth-round picks (135th and 202nd overall) in next month’s NFL draft, per reports.

The trade fills multiple needs: a wide receiver for the Browns; a fresh start for Jeudy, who hasn’t always been happy in Denver; and draft picks and salary cap space for the rebuilding Broncos.

The Broncos selected Jeudy, who turns 25 next month, with the No. 15 overall draft pick in 2020 out of Alabama. They picked up his fifth-year contract option last May, signing him to a $12.99 million deal for 2024.

That contract, and cash, will shift to Cleveland when the new league year begins Wednesday and the trade can be finalized. Jeudy will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season.

With the Browns, Jeudy will join Amari Cooper (1,250 yards, five touchdowns in 2023) and Elijah Moore (640 yards, two TDs) as a key target for QB Deshaun Watson.

Last season, Jeudy appeared in 16 games (11 starts) for the Broncos and tallied 54 catches for 758 yards and two touchdowns.

In four seasons in Denver, he gained 3,053 yards on 211 receptions and added 11 touchdowns in 57 games (44 starts).

–Field Level Media

Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) celebrates his touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos bring back WR Tim Patrick on adjusted contract

Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick will be back in Denver next season after reportedly agreeing to an adjusted one-year deal on Friday, Colorado TV station 9News reported.

Patrick was owed a base salary of $9.5 million for the 2024 season with a salary cap charge over $15 million. Because of season-ending knee and Achilles injuries, Patrick hasn’t played in a game since signing a three-year, $34 million contract that took effect in 2022.

Patrick tore his left Achilles tendon last August in practice and had surgery, landing on injured reserve. He missed all of the 2022 season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament.

Patrick caught 53 passes for 734 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games in 2021.

An undrafted free agent who struggled to catch on with a team, the Broncos added him to the practice squad in 2018 after he spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens.

Patrick amassed 143 receptions for 2,009 yards and 12 TDs in four seasons (2018-21) on the Broncos’ roster.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) reacts to a turnover in the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos releasing Pro Bowl S Justin Simmons

The Denver Broncos are releasing two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons after eight seasons with the team.

The move announced Thursday will cost the financially strapped team $3.75 million in dead money but will save $14.5 million against the salary cap.

“Justin Simmons’ impact as a Denver Bronco extends far beyond his exceptional play during eight seasons with our organization,” the Broncos said in a statement. “In addition to growing into an All-Pro and team captain, Justin became our perennial Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year devoted to uplifting others and using his influence for positive change.

“Whether it was in Denver or his hometown of Stuart, Florida, Justin inspired and mentored countless youth while providing unwavering support to the community. The hundreds of hours he spent at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club will be as much a part of Justin’s legacy with the Broncos as his leadership, dependability and many interceptions. Justin will always be a Bronco, and we thank him for the outstanding manner in which he represented our organization on and off the field.”

The 30-year-old Simmons, who arrived as a third-round pick in 2016, was the Broncos’ longest-tenured player. He never appeared in a playoff game.

He made 15 starts last season and tallied 70 tackles, three interceptions and one sack, earning his second Pro Bowl selection (also 2020). He leaves Denver with 30 interceptions (tied for seventh in franchise history), 64 passes defensed and 604 tackles.

The Broncos incurred a record $85 million dead money charge by releasing quarterback Russell Wilson. They came into this week about $16 million over the $255.4 million salary cap, per ESPN.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks with quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Broncos sign off on Russell Wilson talking to suitors

Wherever Russell Wilson cooks next, he’ll have the Denver Broncos to thank for allowing him to preheat his first trek into free agency.

According to reports Wednesday, the Broncos signed off on Wilson discussing a contract with potential employers ahead of his official release from the team next week. The head start could benefit Wilson, the most experienced signal-caller expected to be available with 204 career starts, including 16 playoff appearances. Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings has played in 150 regular-season games and five playoff games.

Wilson was informed he will be released when the 2024 NFL league year begins March 13, despite a dead-cap hit of $85 million incurred by the Broncos two years into a five-year contract.

The nine-time Pro Bowl selection turns 36 in November and goes to market only weeks before what is projected to be a very strong draft for quarterbacks.

Cut before his 2025 salary was fully guaranteed, the Broncos stand to be beneficiaries if Wilson signs elsewhere.

The Broncos can subtract any 2024 salary Wilson earns from his next employer from the $39 million check it owes to the 12-year veteran. That means if he signs a one-year, $15 million contract with a new team, the Broncos would instead make a $24 million payment to Wilson.

Wilson was acquired by the Broncos from the Seattle Seahawks prior to the 2022 season for three players and five draft choices. The Broncos then gave him a five-year, $242.5 million contract extension before he ever suited up in a game.

Benched for the last two games of the 2023 season to avoid an injury that would trigger guarantees in his contract, Wilson posted an 11-19 record in 30 starts with the Broncos.

He won 104 regular-season games and a Super Bowl as the starter in Seattle and has passed for 43,653 yards with 334 touchdowns and 106 interceptions in 188 career contests.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos to accept $85M cap hit, inform QB Russell Wilson of imminent release

Quarterback Russell Wilson will be released next week at the start of the new league year on March 13, ending a dramatic two-year run in Denver with the Broncos absorbing a record dead-cap hit of $85 million.

Wilson was informed by the Broncos on Monday the team plans to cut him, moving on before his contract called for $37 million in salary guarantees for the 2025 season.

“We spoke with Russell Wilson today to inform him of his release after the start of the league year,” general manager George Paton and head coach Sean Payton said in a joint statement Monday. “On behalf of the Broncos, we thank Russell for his contributions and dedication to our team and community while wishing him the best as he continues his career. As we move forward, we are focused on building the strongest team possible for the 2024 season and beyond. We are excited to improve this offseason and will have the flexibility to get better through the draft and free agency.”

Wilson’s $39 million salary for 2024 was already guaranteed.

Wilson issued his own statement and a thank you to Broncos fans, several teammates and staff members. He ended by saying “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. God’s got me. I am excited for what’s next.”

Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl pick, was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks prior to the 2022 season for three players and five draft choices. The Broncos then gave him a five-year, $242.5 million contract extension before playing a down for the team.

Benched for the final two games of the 2023 season to avoid an injury that would trigger guarantees in his contract, Wilson posted an 11-19 record in 30 starts with the Broncos.

Wilson had 16 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions in 2022. In his first season with Payton as head coach after Nathaniel Hackett was fired, he put up good numbers — 26 touchdowns, eight interceptions — but the Broncos opted to move in another direction.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks with quarterback Russell Wilson (3) before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos’ Sean Payton: Russell Wilson decision coming soon

INDIANAPOLIS — The Russell Wilson drama continues to percolate but Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that a decision is on the horizon.

Payton said the team will meet with ownership next week regarding the future of Wilson and he expects a decision to be reached within two weeks.

“I expect that we’re going to know fairly quickly,” Payton said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “… There’s a couple of factors here, obviously the cap projections ($255.4 million) came out, we’re further down the road with the draft class, so I would anticipate it being within the next two weeks.”

Wilson has been much-maligned during his two seasons in Denver and was benched for the final two games of last season in favor of Jarrett Stidham.

If Wilson isn’t traded or released by March 17, then $37 million in salary guarantees for the 2025 season will be locked in.

Making a trade by then doesn’t seem likely based on Tuesday’s comments from Broncos general manager George Paton.

“I haven’t heard anything from any teams so we’ll see,” Paton said.

On Sunday on the “I Am Athlete” podcast with former Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, Wilson indicated he would prefer to remain with the Broncos.

“I’ve got more fire than ever, honestly, especially over the past two years and what I’ve gone through,” Wilson said. “Whether it’s in Denver or somewhere else. I hope it’s Denver. I hope I get to finish there. I committed there. I wanted to be there. I want to be there.”

Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl pick, was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks prior to the 2022 season for three players and five draft choices. The Broncos then gave him a five-year, $242.5 million contract extension before he even played for the club.

There hasn’t been much bang for the buck with Wilson compiling an 11-19 record in 30 starts. Wilson had 16 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions in 2022 and improved the marks to 26 and eight, respectively, last season.

The issue of bad blood can’t be overlooked after the Broncos approached Wilson’s representation in October and asked for the quarterback to push back the injury guarantee date on his contract and included a threat to bench him if he didn’t comply.

“We moved forward, we addressed that,” Paton said. “Everything we did was above board. I appreciate Russ but we moved forward. We have a lot of work to do. We’re here at the combine. We have free agency around the corner. We’re working on bettering our team and winning football games.”

Paton and Payton are both dissecting the available quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class. Denver owns the No. 12 pick and Paton said the club is open to all possibilities, while admitting there’s not enough draft capital to move up to No. 1 where Southern California’s Caleb Williams is expected to be selected.

“It’s the most important position in sports,” Paton said. “So it’s important — whether it’s from within. That’s why this is taking a long time, this decision is very important. If you’re going to draft one, that’s obviously very difficult. … There’s more mistakes it seems at quarterback, especially in the first round.”

Payton is looking forward to evaluating the draft-hopeful quarterbacks.

“I think we’ll be really good at this and to some degree we’re glad that a lot of people aren’t,” Payton said.

The Broncos (8-9) missed the playoffs for the eighth straight season in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael smiles before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos to hire former Saints OC Pete Carmichael

The Denver Broncos are expected to hire former New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, NOLA.com reported on Tuesday.

While the exact role for Carmichael is unknown, the move will reunite him with Broncos head coach Sean Payton and potentially offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

Carmichael, 52, was fired on Jan. 16 after an 18-year stint with New Orleans, including a significant portion as the offensive coordinator under the then-Saints head coach Payton.

Carmichael initially joined Payton’s staff in 2006 and worked with the team’s quarterbacks and passing game for three seasons. Carmichael has served as New Orleans’ offensive coordinator since 2009 and worked through the coaching transition from Payton to Dennis Allen.

The Saints (9-8) finished 14th in total offense (337.2 average yards per game) and 21st in rushing offense (102.5) in 2023, missing out on the playoffs in a tiebreaker with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South division title.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks with quarterback Russell Wilson (3) before the game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos GM approached Russell Wilson’s agent in-season; QB in limbo for ’24

Russell Wilson was informed by head coach Sean Payton that the Denver Broncos are still working through a decision on his status with the franchise for 2024.

Wilson sat down with Payton in a 30-minute meeting on Monday, according to the coach, where the quarterback was told the Broncos don’t intend to leave him hanging all offseason.

“I told him, ‘Look, I don’t think it’s going to be a long, drawn-out process but it hasn’t been decided relative to what our plans are,” Payton said, adding more clearly that Denver hasn’t made “an official decision” on whether Wilson will be part of the team in 2024.

All signs point to a split as Wilson alleges an ultimatum — involving adjusting injury guarantees in his contract — preceded his benching, with the Broncos promoting backup Jarrett Stidham to start the last two games in an 8-9 season. Payton said he wasn’t privy to financially driven conversations and called that move a “football decision.”

Wilson said the front office approached him after the Broncos’ 24-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 29.

“We beat the Chiefs,” Wilson said. “They came up to me during the bye week and beginning of the bye week, Monday or Tuesday, they told me if I didn’t change my contract, my injury guarantee, that I’d be benched the rest of the year.

“I was definitely disappointed about it. It was a process for the whole bye week. We had just come off beating the Chiefs, I was excited for us fighting for the playoffs and getting on a hot streak. The NFLPA and NFL got involved or whatever at some point.”

Paton said Tuesday he did reach out to Wilson’s representatives in “good faith and creative attempt to adjust his contract.”

“We couldn’t get a deal done, we moved on with our season,” Paton said. “Fast forward to Week 17, Sean makes a change at the QB position. This was a football decision, in the best interest of the team, completely independent of the conversation with the agent.

“Negotiations are hard. You have difficult conversations, tough conversations. … We always try to handle ourselves professionally and in the best interest of the Broncos.”

Wilson is assured of receiving $39 million next season even if he’s not welcomed back by the Broncos. Should he be unable to pass a physical next March, his 2025 pay of $37 million would be guaranteed, too.

“I wasn’t going to remove or push or take away my injury guarantee,” Wilson said. “This game is such a physical game. I’ve played 12 years. That matters to me.”

Stidham said Monday he’s “very confident” he’ll be the Broncos’ starting quarterback in 2024 in the second year of a two-year, $10 million deal he signed in March 2023.

Wilson, 35, said he is shooting to regain his job.

“I want to be able to play, I want to be able to help this team win,” he said. “I know every time I step on the field it’s a physical game. I never play timid. I never play scared.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) carries against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Aidan O’Connell helps Raiders beat Broncos for eighth straight time

Aidan O’Connell threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns for the Las Vegas Raiders in a 27-14 win against the visiting Denver Broncos in the season finale for both teams on Sunday afternoon.

Jakobi Meyers caught a touchdown pass and ran for another and Zamir White rushed for 112 yards on 25 carries for the Raiders (8-9), who won their eighth in a row against the Broncos.

Jarrett Stidham started his second straight game for the Broncos (8-9) and completed 20 of 34 passes for 272 yards with a touchdown and interception.

Meyers scored on a 5-yard run to cap a 13-play, 78-yard drive and give Las Vegas a 7-0 lead with 1:44 left in the first quarter.

He took a handoff from O’Connell and appeared to be looking to throw the ball as he sprinted to his right, but he reversed course and ran back to the left with plenty of room to continue into the end zone.

Denver answered with an 11-play, 84-yard drive and tied the score 7-7 on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Stidham to Jerry Jeudy, who weaved through four tacklers on his way to the end zone with 10:34 left in the first half.

Denver briefly thought it recovered a fumble by O’Connell, but the play was reversed and ruled an incomplete pass. Daniel Carlson then kicked a 49-yard field goal on the next play to give Las Vegas a 10-7 lead with 7:09 left in the first half.

O’Connell engineered a 12-play, 98-yard drive in the final two minutes of the first half and capped it with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams in the corner of the end zone with seven seconds left to extend the lead to 17-7.

Jimmy Garoppolo replaced O’Connell for one possession early in the second half because of O’Connell’s finger injury. O’Connell returned and hit Meyers for a 33-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 24-7.

Jeudy’s 47-yard reception to the 3-yard line set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Javonte Williams on fourth down to cut the lead to 24-14 with 10:09 left.

Carlson booted a 21-yard field goal with 2:20 left to make it 27-14.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (4) attempts a pass in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos, Jarrett Stidham visit old friends in Vegas

The Las Vegas Raiders can extend their winning streak against the visiting Denver Broncos to eight games when they meet on Sunday afternoon.

The Broncos (8-8) last defeated the Raiders (7-9) in the regular-season finale on Dec. 29, 2019.

Las Vegas beat Denver 17-16 in the season opener on Sept. 10. Since then, major changes have altered each team. Among those impacted by the in-season overhaul were both starting quarterbacks in Week 1.

Jimmy Garoppolo took the field for the Raiders in the season opener, but injuries and ineffectiveness opened the door for rookie Aidan O’Connell to get a shot when head coach Josh McDaniels was fired. The Raiders have gone 4-4 over the past eight games.

Russell Wilson started the first 15 games for Denver, but the Broncos decided to bench Wilson for Jarrett Stidham in a contract-related squabble similar to the drama that unfolded involving Derek Carr at the end of last season. At that time, Stidham was with the Raiders and was pushed into a starting role for the final two games of the regular season.

“I have a certain job to do, certain thing to do on each and every play. Ultimately we’ve got to go out and win. So that’s what I’m focused on doing and it’s my job to help those other 10 guys on offense, move the ball and score points,” Stidham said.

Stidham completed 20 of 32 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown in a 16-9 win against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday, though the Broncos were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

“These are important snaps and games for him,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “That’s the case with every player, right? We’re constantly evaluating how they play, and then it would definitely carry over to how we feel about next year relative to their role.”

Payton said the Broncos wouldn’t change their plans for Week 18 based on being eliminated from the playoffs. He’s particularly keen to remind players of the losing streak against the Raiders.

“Do we approach (Sunday’s game) differently? Absolutely not,” Payton said. “We do everything in our power to win this game. It’s that important. From who is playing quarterback to who is starting at the offensive line to who is starting on defense. It’s that simple.”

For the Raiders, not only is the season finale an ongoing audition for O’Connell, but also for interim coach Antonio Pierce, who took over after McDaniels was fired on Nov. 1.

Las Vegas won its first two games under Pierce, but has gone 2-4 since, most recently losing to the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 last Sunday.

“You can’t point fingers at players,” Pierce said. “Obviously we’ve got to do a better job as coaches. It’s a focus thing: false starts, offside, that’s the Raiders beating themselves. That’s something that for seven games, we hadn’t done. But it came up (against the Colts) and it bit us.”

Pierce said the key is staying patient and ignoring the outside opinions.

“Stay true to yourself, don’t change because of people’s opinion of you,” he said. “Go with your gut.”

O’Connell said it’s important that the Raiders focus on the task at hand and not what happened last week or what’s to come in the offseason.

“You can’t rely on momentum from week to week,” he said. “You can’t look ahead, and you can’t look back. Every play, every series, and every game has enough of its own and you’ve got to lock in.”

Las Vegas running back Josh Jacobs, the leading rusher in the NFL last season with 1,653 yards in 17 games, will be a game-time decision because of a quad injury, Pierce said. He has been limited to 805 rushing yards through 13 games this season.

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (knee) was limited Wednesday. A former teammate of Stidham, Crosby has a sack in eight consecutive games against the Broncos.

“I can’t speak highly enough of this guy,” Stidham said. “Being with him every day for a year, seeing how he works. The most impressive thing is I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a player play that hard for that long every single time he’s out on the field. He’s going to bring it; we’re going to have to be ready.”

Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (ribs) was limited and wide receiver Cortland Sutton remained in concussion protocol Wednesday.

–Field Level Media