It seems clear C.J. Anderson is ready to be the next member of the Super Bowl 50 Champion Denver Broncos to take the money and run, although that running might ultimately be back in Denver.
Mike Klis of KUSA is reporting that as many as four teams are vying for Anderson‘s services into the first night of free agency, including two that have direct ties to Denver and one that would love to stick it to the Broncos after Denver stuck it to them in the AFC Championship. Miami, now coached by former Broncos and Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Chicago, with former Broncos head coach John Fox at the helm, and New England are all vying for Anderson’s services along with San Francisco.
As the legal tampering window opened Tuesday, Anderson commented on Twitter to teammate Omar Bolden that he’d like to see their names trending like former teammate Malik Jackson‘s was as news about his massive contract spread.
@Os_Island the goal is 2 get us trending lol
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) March 8, 2016
On Monday, Denver placed a tender of $1.671 million on Anderson, meaning Denver will have to match other offers or let Anderson walk. But that’s not exactly the kind of offer that will see his name appear in the ‘Trends’ box.
It also means his big payday probably isn’t going to be as big as he’d like.
Anderson, a restricted free agent, has less options than Jackson or quarterback Brock Osweiler (who left for Houston), but these negotiations will make him more money one way or the other. Denver will have to match any offer made to Anderson, or lose him.
What’s startling as the market for running backs heats up is that Denver will now likely have to overpay to keep him, when they could have made him an offer of less than a million more and at least earned a second round pick if they chose not to match.
Losing Osweiler is one thing, but not shelling out the $882k more it would have taken to 2nd round tender CJ Anderson was a big mistake…
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 10, 2016
Because Anderson was an undrafted player, Denver gains nothing if they elect to let someone else pick up the bill on a player who made the Pro Bowl in 2014 and scored the Broncos’ only offensive touchdown in Super Bowl 50.
Anderson’s desire to turn the 2015 season into reason for a big pay day is no secret. In September, Mile High Sports Magazine ran a feature story on Anderson that made it very clear he had one goal in mind: Perform at a level that would get him paid.
Over three years, Anderson has earned just $1.648 million for appearing in a Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl, and rushing for over 1,600 yards. The only guaranteed money he was ever offered was a $12,500 signing bonus.
Make no doubt about it. Anderson is ready to cash in on his hard work – whether that’s in Denver or elsewhere.
As the free agency period was about to open and news of deals across the league started to make their rounds, Anderson chimed in with this take on how other running backs were faring.
Man RB's are getting some love good 2 see that
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) March 9, 2016
Anderson admitted to Mile High Sports late in the 2015 season that he’d not taken full advantage of the opportunity he had before him this past year – that he expected things to come easier than they did.
A change in attitude midway through the year, however, translated on the field and led to some of the biggest moments of the season – like his walk-off 48-yard touchdown run to beat the Patriots in overtime in Week 12. Anderson finished 2015 with 720 yards and five touchdowns in a very down year for the Denver offense.
That attitude change, though, didn’t change enough minds at Dove Valley to give him a big offer in free agency.
CJ Anderson has every right to be ticked at low tender from Broncos. Cuz $ is only way teams show love in NFL. Den might lose him.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) March 10, 2016
Instead, Anderson offered up support for his teammates who signed big contracts, including Danny Trevathan and Brock Osweiler.
Congrats to Brock man good luck
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) March 9, 2016
Congrats at @Grindin_59 good luck my dude
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) March 9, 2016
Good to see some of my teammates get paid congrats you guys deserve every penny
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) March 10, 2016
About 30 minutes after he’d paid those respects to his teammates, Anderson saw his own name start to surface in the free agency news wire. And based on his response, it seems he’s growing happier as the offers are rolling in.
Lol mike be scooping I tell ya https://t.co/IffyLbPxK3
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) March 10, 2016
He may not be trending on Twitter yet, but C.J. Anderson may soon be getting the payday he’s been wanting for some time.