In the upcoming offseason months, the Denver Broncos may have to make some tough decisions regarding their roster due to salary cap constraints. Among the players who could potentially become cap casualties are Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, DJ Jones, and Justin Simmons.
Courtland Sutton, despite his ability to find the end zone with a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2023, hasn’t consistently reached the statistical milestones of his earlier seasons, making his $17.4 million cap hit seem disproportionate to his production. If the Broncos opt to retain Sutton, they might consider parting ways with Tim Patrick, whose $15.6 million cap hit may not align with his role as the team’s WR3.
DJ Jones, while providing decent performance as an interior defender since joining the team, may not justify his $13 million cap hit, especially considering his middling grade from PFF and lack of significant impact. Releasing Jones could clear nearly $10 million in cap space, a move that could be appealing given the team’s financial constraints and his diminishing on-field impact.
Justin Simmons, a standout safety in the NFL, is more likely to be retained through extension, restructuring, or potentially via trade. However, if a suitable deal cannot be reached, his $18.3 million cap hit could make him an unexpected casualty of the offseason, particularly given the team’s cap concerns.
Among these players, DJ Jones and Tim Patrick are the most probable candidates for release. Jones, despite a strong debut season with the Broncos, saw a decline in performance last season, making his $10 million cap savings an enticing option for the team, especially considering the lack of impactful depth behind him on the defensive line.
