The Denver Broncos have a lot to do, and unfortunately, not that much time to do it.
With nearly half of their Super Bowl starters about to enter free agency, John Elway will be working overtime to lock his guys up, but it’s a tiresome process. A team doesn’t just go up to a guy with a bag of money and ask him to politely re-sign; it takes weeks upon weeks of negotiations to get pen to paper, and the fact that the Broncos just won’t the Super Bowl doesn’t make it easier.
Right now, the players have all the leverage, because if the Broncos aren’t going to give them the money they want, someone else will.
That couldn’t be more true for Brock Osweiler, who, as a young and talented quarterback, is likely to draw the attention of every franchise in need of a signal caller. And if he reaches free agency, a bidding war could force the Broncos out of the auction.
And according to Mike Klis from 9News, the clock is ticking and the Broncos have yet to move their feet.
Now a week removed from the Super Bowl, Denver haven’t even begun contract negotiations with Osweiler, waiting, instead, for Peyton Manning to make his all-important decision on retirement. And while it’s a respectful move by the Broncos — Manning most definitely deserves all the time he needs — it could come back to bite them in the tail down the line.
The longer Manning waits, the less likely it becomes that the Broncos get a deal done with Osweiler before free agency begins, and, as James Merilatt pointed out this morning, that’s not good for Denver.
Though the football world is in agreement that Manning needs to retire, that doesn’t mean he is. And the last thing the Broncos need is a Brett Favre situation on their hands.
Elway has already jumped started talks with Malik Jackson, according to Klis, and next on the docket should be some combination of Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall — they can hold off on Von Miller, knowing they can slap the franchise tag on him if all else fails. But if Manning continues to take his time, Elway could very well be out of money when he begins to sit down at the table with Osweiler.
So take you’re time Manning but also hurry up, please.