Building an elite NFL roster also requires trading experienced players for younger and cheaper draft picks. Could the Denver Broncos already have some candidates in mind for 2025 to release?
If the team released Justin Simmons so readily, that makes me believe they would have no problem releasing almost everyone else on the roster when the time comes to move on. The team could be in a position to go all out for 2025. The team has what it takes to be a breakout team in 2024, which could prompt them to make some aggressive moves next offseason.
Part of their aggressiveness could be cutting ties with some current players. Who might they part with?
All contract numbers are from About the cap.
Courtland Sutton got a somewhat sweetened deal for the 2024 NFL season. However, even with the extra money, the team can part ways with Sutton after next year. It would be a bold move, but Denver may need to revamp its WR room again for 2025. The team brought back Tim Patrick this offseason, along with signing Troy Franklin and signing Josh Reynolds.
Marvin Mims Jr. is the other notable WR in that room, but rookie Devaughn Vele has had a good offseason so far. You also have to consider the possibility that Sutton simply doesn’t play as well in 2024 as he did in 2023, or even suffers another serious injury.
Both scenarios would be absolutely devastating, but so much can happen in the NFL.
Alex Singleton is a good inside linebacker. He’s not the best in coverage, but he always makes tackles. He might be the best tackling linebacker in the NFL, if that makes sense. Singleton turns 31 in December, so age could be an issue. Contractually, releasing Singleton in 2025 could save Denver $6 million in salary cap space and only cost about $1.3 million in dead money.
I don’t think this potential move would be a huge surprise, especially if a younger ILB like Jonas Griffith takes a step forward. In general, the Broncos need to try to find more alpha players at the ILB position, as neither Singleton nor projected 2024 starter Cody Barton are likely that good.
One of the new faces at the wide receiver position this offseason is Josh Reynolds, who the Broncos signed to a two-year deal late in the offseason. It could actually be just a one-year commitment if the Broncos wanted it to be, as releasing Reynolds could save Denver $4.5 million in salary cap space while losing just $1 million in dead money.
If Denver wanted to be very aggressive, they could part with Sutton and Reynolds, but with Tim Patrick being a free agent in 2025, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Denver keep two of those players in 2024. However, if the Broncos plan on making a bigger move at the wide receiver position, they could clean up a bit here by cutting one of Sutton or Reynolds, or even both.
