If this were 2012, Britton Colquitt might have had some leverage. After coffin-cornering the Broncos to a miraculous 8-8 finish and playoff berth in the 2011 season, Colquitt’s contributions to the Broncos in the Tim Tebow era cannot be understated. It was often Colquitt’s booming leg that pinned opponents deep in their own territory that year so the Broncos’ suffocating defense could give Tebow a shot from midfield late in so many of those Mile High miracle games.

But this is 2015 and the Broncos’ offense is now a high-horsepower attack led by two of the best receivers in the game, a breakout running back and some guy who just happens to hold the single-season and career record for NFL touchdown passes. With all due respect to Colquitt, one of the best in the league, this team does not need a $3 million punter.

That’s what Colquitt was scheduled to make this year, putting him squarely in the sights of head coach Gary Kubiak and general manager John Elway as they evaluate what has developed into a, quite frankly, funky kicking situation in Denver.

After the team let Pro Bowl kicker Matt Prater go in 2014 after he began the season suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, the team was left with Colquitt on punt duties and Brandon McManus, who filled in for Prater during the suspension, kicking off and kicking field goals. But McManus failed to be consistent in the field goal department and the team was forced to sign Connor Barth in November, creating an odd three-headed kicking monster that included Colquitt’s massive (for a punter) salary.

When Kubiak was brought in over the offseason, it became apparent that he was not going to continue with a field goal specialist and a kickoff specialist. Thus, he opened the competition to YouTube sensation Karl Schmitz. Curious, because Schmitz can not only kick off, he can also punt. And pretty darn well.

As such, speculation quickly arose that Colquitt and his $3 million could be the odd ones out. That has likely changed Monday morning when Field Yates of ESPN reported that Colquitt will be taking a significant pay cut, effective immediately.

It’s a smart move by Colquitt. While Denver still has more than $7 million available under the salary cap, the team is still looking to save some money in the event they need to spend big on either or both the offensive and defensive lines during training camp. With both sides of the line of scrimmage in flux, every penny the Broncos can save will be useful as the team goes all-in again this year in search of a second Super Bowl for Peyton Manning.

Colquitt has been an asset for the Broncos for some time now, with his value never being higher than after that 2011 season. But this is 2015 and Tim Tebow is a distant memory. This was a smart move at an important time for both Colquitt and the Broncos.