The Denver Broncos are set to make their first splash of the offseason by agreeing to trade for Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye, according to Adam Schefter.
The deal has been agreed to, but can not be processed until the new league year begins on March 18. The Broncos will reportedly send a 2020 fourth-round pick to Jacksonville in exchange for the corner.
Bouye, 28, is entering the fourth year of a five year contract he signed with the Jaguars back in 2017. Bouye was a premier cornerback in the league during the 2017 season, where he logged six interceptions and 56 tackles en route to a Pro Bowl nod.
Bouye regressed during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, as did the entire Jaguars defense. That said, the Broncos’ brass is confident they can get the most out of Bouye now that he will be paired with head coach Vic Fangio and Denver’s stout defense.
Bouye is owed $13.4 million in 2020 and $13.5 million in 2021, which the Broncos intend to honor, per Mike Klis.
Jacksonville was prepared to cut Bouye, but the Broncos decided to dispose of excess draft capital to acquire the former pro-bowler to avoid the free-agent frenzy, per Benjamin Allbright.
Trading for Bouye essentially signifies the end of the road for veteran cornerback Chris Harris Jr. in Denver. Although it was unlikely the Broncos were going to re-sign Harris, the decision to trade for Bouye means Denver will not pursue Harris unless his price drops significantly.
Harris acknowledged the reality of the situation on Twitter after news of the deal was made public.
congrats lil bro @AJBOUYE21 wish you the best . https://t.co/bwN8npeP5O
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) March 3, 2020
Benjamin Allbright of KOA, reports that the Broncos could still be in the market for additional secondary help, although they are not likely to pursue top-tier free agents like Byron Jones.
Allbright adds that Denver is still looking to re-sign free agent De’Vante Bausby and could still be in the market for Prince Amukamara.