The Denver Broncos are re-signing cornerback De’Vante Bausby to a one-year deal, according to NFL insider Benjamin Allbright.
The Broncos opted to not tender Bausby a contract, with the intention of signing him in free agency to a more team-friendly deal.
Bausby is a football journeyman, having played for three NFL teams and the now-defunct Alliance of American Football before landing with the Broncos last season. Bausby previously spent two seasons with Broncos head coach Vic Fangio in Chicago when he was coaching the Bears.
The familiarity with Fangio allowed Bausby to adapt to Denver’s defensive scheme quickly. After Bryce Callahan went down with an injury, Bausby stepped up as the Broncos No. 2 cornerback and impressed with his limited opportunities.
Bausby’s season was cut short when he suffered a neck injury during the Broncos Week 5 win versus the Los Angeles Chargers. He is now fully healthy and provides Denver with depth within the secondary.
Bausby opted to return to Denver despite fielding offers from other teams. The 27 year old always wanted to be a Bronco whether he was tendered a contract or returned through free agency.
“We were looking for the tender, didn’t get it, but it’s ok,” He said on KOA radio earlier in the offseason. “I’m ready to be a Bronco, though. I’m blessed to even have an opportunity…..ready to be a Bronco, the conversations my agent and the Broncos are having are pretty good, so hopefully pretty soon here we can get things done.”
Bausby’s deal is the second the Broncos have made to address the secondary, after trading for A.J. Bouye. The Broncos pass protection is still reasonably thin, so the team could still be in the market for additional support, whether that be in free agency or the draft.
