Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star first reported that Donald Stephenson, a free agent tackle to-be, will sign with the Denver Broncos tomorrow.
Former #Chiefs OT Donald Stephenson is planning to sign with the Denver Broncos tomorrow, a source tells me.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) March 9, 2016
Denver is in desperate need of help along an offensive line that was decimated with injury and free agency departures in 2015, and has already seen the loss of former All-Pro right guard Louis Vasquez earlier on Tuesday.
Stephenson played both tackle positions for the Chiefs during his four years in Kansas City, starting seven games in 2012, ’13 and ’15.
The 6-foot-6, 312-pound tackle was drafted in the third round of the 2012 draft. He was a second-team All-Big 12 player at Oklahoma.
Stephenson comes with some baggage, however, he violated the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs in 2014 and was suspended four games.
Details about the contract had been limited, but Donaldson did send out a tweet earlier in the day suggesting he’s got a new deal he’s happy with.
https://twitter.com/Don59Wayne/status/707344626298949632
Mike Klis of KUSA says it will be in the range of $5 million per year, or “starter money,” as he called it.
Stephenson was a starter at left tackle heading into 2015 until an ankle injury ended that bid.
The move is a curious one as it relates to Ryan Clady’s future with the team.
Denver used a second round pick last year on Ty Sambrailo, who was sidelined for most of the season with a shoulder injury, and he’s expected to return.
Clady, who has missed most or all of two of the past three seasons is due another major payout in 2016. It was widely believed that Denver would restructure Clady, but with the news of this signing, perhaps they’re prepared to move on entirely.
