Potential cap casualties that Broncos must sign in 2023
The Denver Broncos are light on draft capital after the Russell Wilson and Sean Payton trades, so they should pay attention to cap casualties. For may teams, cap casualties can be ways they get much better.
Other team’s players can be another team’s treasure, and for the Broncos, not having much draft capital does put them in a position to make some major moves on this front.Trading for Russell Wilson and Sean Payton was not cheap, and the team does have a few holes on their roster, so they’ll surely be paying attention to potential cap cuts that they can take advantage of.
Potential cap casualties that Broncos must sign in 2023
Shaq Mason, G, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are tens of millions of dollars over the salary cap number for 2023, have a load of veteran free agents, and just had to witness Tom Brady retire. Shaq Mason’s potential cap savings is the highest it will be if cut this year, so it makes sense that the veteran guard, who was basically brought over to help Tom Brady, is cut.
The Denver Broncos’ offensive line was terrible in 2022, and bringing in a quality guard like Mason should do nothing but help them out.
Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
Michael Thomas’ restructured contract would have him at a $59 million cap hit in 2024 if he was on the roster. He’s deal with a rash of injuries over the last few seasons and we just saw the Saints use a first round draft pick on Chris Olave.
It’s likely that the team doesn’t plan on having Thomas a part of their future anymore, and it makes sense. His former coach, Sean Payton, would surely have at least some interest in the veteran player, as the Broncos could use another pass catcher.
Khalil Mack, EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers
Khalil Mack’s potential cap savings if cut would wipe out the overage that the Chargers have on their 2023 cap space. Mack played fine for the team in 2023, and I’m sure they’d approach him about a restructure first as it’d be smart to try and keep as much talent on defense as possible.
The Denver Broncos traded Bradley Chubb during the 2022 season and Randy Gregory hardly saw the field. 2022 second round edge rusher Nik Bonitto also did not show much in year one.
It would be an interesting signing for the Broncos, but one that they could easily justify.