ENGLEWOOD—For a second season in the NFL, Brandon Marshall was an ignored, practice squad linebacker.
Cut three times by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who went 2-14 in his rookie season of 2012, Marshall decided the next year that if he had to return to the practice squad, he would do so with the Denver Broncos. During one film study of practice, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who would throw an NFL-record 55 touchdowns in 2013, asked the offensive meeting room: 'Who is this Marshall guy?'
"And then (offensive coordinator) Adam Gase came up to me one day and said, "You're doing a helluva job,''' Marshall said Tuesday following his press conference that announced his new four-year, $32 million contract extension with the Broncos. "He said, "I'm going to pound the table for you to get up on that roster."
Everyone needs a break. Marshall worked for that break to come. The $2.553 million salary Marshall was to receive as a second-round tendered restricted free agent this season will stay in place with his new deal. The $10 million signing bonus from his four-year extension will help tie him over until his new deal kicks in starting with the 2017 season.
The new four-year segment of his contract averages to $8 million a year. There is 12.497 million in full skill/injury/cap guarantee in the new deal, $15.05 million in full guarantee counting this year's $2.553 salary, plus another $4.5 million in other guarantees.
Thus, Marshall has a five-year, $34.553 million contract in total. 9News broke the story of Marshall's contract extension.
Not bad for someone who was cut three times by the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars.
"I had a coach tell me that he didn't know if I was cut out for the NFL,'' Marshall said. "All that ran through my mind (as he finished contract negotiations.) It ran through my mind each and every day that I was working, as I was out there practicing. As I was lifting weights.That's the biggest chip I have.''
Marshall, 26, is a two-year starter who led the Broncos with 113 tackles in 2014 and his 102 tackles in 2015 were second to fellow inside linebacker Danny Trevathan’s 109.
Trevathan became an unrestricted free agent after last season and got a four-year, $24.5 million, or $6.125 million per year, with the Chicago Bears where he is reunited with former Broncos coach John Fox.
Marshall was a fifth-round draft pick out of Nevada by the Jaguars in 2012, He spent most of his rookie year on their practice squad. When he was cut for a second time in four days on Nov. 1, 2012, Marshall took a reflective and fateful drive down Interstate 95 South.
"Got to St. Augustine, and the whole drive I was just thinking, "What am I going to do now? What am I going to do next?''' Marshall said. "So as I was taking this drive, I was feeling bad for myself, feeling sorry for myself. But then I turned around and I said, you know what, I'm going to keep working. That's what I told myself. If I'm going to go out, I'm going to go out on my terms. Because I feel like I almost switched my game up, to fit what they liked.''
When he was cut again prior to the final roster in 2013, the Broncos signed him away to their practice squad. It was during practice that he drew the attention of Manning and Gase, who is now head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
Speed is the primary asset of Marshall's game. He was promoted to the Broncos’ 53-man roster on Dec. 24, 2013 and has been a mainstay ever since.
The signing of Marshall raised the spirits of Broncos general manager John Elway who has otherwise been involved in tension-filled negotiations with Broncos’ pass-rushing linebacker Von Miller. The Broncos are also trying to work out a contract extension with receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
"The last two years he played more snaps than anybody on the defensive side," Elway said of Marshall. "We know what kind of defense we've had and he's been a big part of that. He's a guy that can play three downs. And really think he's just scratched the surface of what he can do. We're thrilled that we were able to agree on a new contract with Brandon and really have big expectations for him.''
