KUSA – Last time anyone checked, the Broncos weren’t going so well that they could afford to let Pro Bowlers go.
Although the Broncos weren't going to submit a $2.025 million low tender to restricted free agent Casey Kreiter, they did work out a one-year, $1 million deal Thursday morning to retain their long snapper.
The pay out breaks down to an $800,000 non-guaranteed salary, a $100,000 workout bonus that is virtually guaranteed, and a $100,000 roster bonus.
It’s the going rate for long snappers, where the highest-paid averages $1.175 million a year and Kreiter is tied for 15th at $1 million.
“I let them know last year knowing this was coming up that I love Denver, I love being here and I want to be part of the solution,’’ Kreiter said in a phone interview with 9NEWS. “So we let them know we were interested. For longevity we would have loved a long-term deal but I’m happy with what got done. We’ll take it year by year and obviously that’s what the NFL is.’’
So far, Kreiter has been pretty good year-by-year. Following the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 season of 2015, the team released long snapper Aaron Brewer for behavioral issues. Then special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis held a long-snapper tryout and from several candidates, Kreiter was picked.
Kreiter capped his third season with the Broncos in 2018 by getting selected to the AFC Pro Bowl team by Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn. The honor was applauded by Broncos kicker Brandon McManus and punter Colby Wadman.
“It was awesome, man, it was a lot of fun,’’ Kreiter said. “I got to bring my family. We all flew down on a Tuesday and we played the game on a Sunday. My parents came, my sister came, my in-laws came. It was a good time.’’
Kreiter’s contract suggests the Broncos may bring in competition for his job, but he’s been there before and prevailed.
“I’m happy to be here and we’ll compete and do it again,’’ he said.
Besides, the alternative – seeing what’s available in the free-agent market next week -- is hardly an exciting arena for long snappers. Tampa Bay is the only team that needs to fill the position.
Staying put was also appealing to Kreiter for family reasons. He’s been married to Meghan for going on three years. They have a 1 ½-year old son Landen and Landens’ baby sister is due in July.
“That plays a part, but luckily I married an amazing woman who understands the business and she would have rolled with the punches,’’ Kreiter said. “But unfortunately there’s not a great market out there for snappers. I think you tweeted how the difference between the highest paid and lowest paid is not very much. That comes with this position. I talked to a lot of veteran guys and that’s just how it is.
“You weigh the risk and the rewards and really it came down to I wanted to be here. I love Denver, I love the organization and I want to help turn this thing around. I missed the Super Bowl by one year. I didn’t get to enjoy that, but I was around a lot of the guys who did. And hearing them talk, we all look forward to getting back there.’"
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