NFL free agency has now been rolling along for more than a week, and the Denver Broncos have been relatively quiet, at least so far. Unlike last season, the Broncos had less of their own free agents to worry about this year. Last year at this time, the Broncos had big name players that had helped them win Super Bowl 50 looking for new deals as unrestricted free agents. A number of them got away, and joined new clubs for much more money.
It wasn’t the first time that the Broncos had lost valuable players via free agency, and it sure wasn’t the last. Denver didn’t have many free agents this year, but special teams ace Kayvon Webster and defensive tackle Sylvester Williams have already signed with other teams.
Unfortunately, losing players in free agency is part of life doing business in the NFL, but here are five times that it hurt a little more than usual.
5. Malik Jackson, DT, 2016, (Jacksonville Jaguars)
This one wasn’t much of a surprise, as the Broncos simply didn’t have the money to keep Jackson, but we are still feeling the impact. The Broncos selected Jackson in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and by 2013, he was beginning to come into his own.
Jackson played in every game in 2013 and 2014, and when Wade Phillips returned in 2015 to instill his 3-4 defense, it was a perfect fit for the defensive lineman. He was a huge part of the Broncos Super Bowl season, as he recorded 45 tackles, five sacks and a safety. His presence on the defensive line allowed the Broncos edge rushers to wreak havoc on opposing quarterback, and the Denver defense played at an all-time level in the postseason.
With Jackson moving on to Jacksonville for a hefty pay raise, the Broncos are still looking for his replacement.
4. Trevor Pryce, DE, 2006, (Baltimore Ravens)
Drafted by the Broncos in 1997, Pryce played nine productive seasons in Denver. He was a member of the back-to-back Super Bowl champion teams in 1998 and 1999, and was voted to four Pro Bowls from 1999-2002.
Pryce racked up 64 sacks during his time in Denver and ranks sixth all-time in franchise history. After a back injury in 2004, the Broncos felt his best years were behind him, and allowed Pryce to leave via free agency.
Pryce would sign with the Ravens in 2006, and lead the Baltimore defense to a No. 1 defensive ranking that year, as they would sack opposing quarterbacks 60 times. He would go on to play six more solid seasons, and make the Broncos wish they had never let him go. Pryce would later be named to the Broncos 50th Anniversary Team.
3. Bertrand Berry, DE, 2004, (Arizona Cardinals)
Bertrand Berry was a relative unknown when he signed with Denver, in 2001. He played two satisfactory seasons for the Broncos, but then really began to show some potential in 2003. Berry started all 16 games, while posting 24 tackles, and 11.5 sacks.
Berry tested the free agent waters in 2004, and was scooped up quickly by the Arizona Cardinals. Berry led the league in sacks with 14.5, and made the Pro Bowl in his first season, with the Cardinals. He would play six seasons in Arizona, anchoring a defense that would make a remarkable run to the Super Bowl in 2008. He retired in 2010, and remains in Arizona.
2. Shannon Sharpe, TE, 2000, (Baltimore Ravens)
Shannon Sharpe was a seven-time Pro Bowler with the Broncos, but management had grown tired of some of his antics, and failed to even make him an offer in 2000. The Baltimore Ravens signed him to a four-year contract worth $14 million dollars. Broncos fans were not pleased, as “Big Play Shay” was still a productive player, and a fan favorite.
Adding insult to injury, Sharpe caught a 58-yard touchdown pass against his former team, as the Ravens beat the Broncos in the 2000 AFC Wild Card game. Then, as an added bonus, Broncos fans got to see Sharpe win Super Bowl XXXV as a Raven.
Sharpe would later return to Denver, signing as a free agent in 2002, and he would as a Bronco after the 2003 season. Sharpe was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 2009, and into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
1. Elvis Dumervil, OLB, 2013, (Baltimore Ravens)
Who could ever forget Fax-Gate? The Broncos had drafted Elvis Dumervil in 2006, out of Louisville, despite critics saying he was too small to be an effective pass rusher. It had proven to be a worthy gamble.
Dumervil played six seasons for the Broncos, and racked up 63.5 sacks while chants of “Doom” echoed throughout Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium.
In 2013, the Broncos were looking to free up some salary space, and asked Dumervil to restructure his deal. However, Elvis and his agent faxed the agreement six minutes past the deadline, and it forced Denver to release him to the open market.
Dumervil would later fire his agent, but the damage was already done. He would sign a five-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens worth $35 million dollars, and played four seasons in Baltimore, compiling 127 tackles and 35.5 sacks. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2015.