For all the monetary gains NFL players have made since the start of free agency 30 years ago, one unavoidable truth remains.
If you're a veteran player who has reached the non-guaranteed portion of your contract, you're likely on the verge of unemployment.
Such was the case for three veteran Denver Broncos players Friday as starting cornerback Ronald Darby, guard-center Graham Glasgow and backup running back Chase Edmonds were all released. The three moves wipe $27 million in combined non-guaranteed salaries off the Broncos' 2023 books.
Darby signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Broncos in 2021. He actually received two years and $20 million -- not bad considering he only played in 16 games total. He will not get his scheduled $10 million salary from the Broncos this year.
A hamstring and shoulder injury caused him to miss six games in 2021. Darby returned in 2022 and was playing well through the first four games but suffered a season-ending torn ACL in game 5
Glasgow was the Broncos' big free-agent signing in 2020 with a four-year, $44 million contract. He struggled with COVID and various injuries in his three season tenure with the Broncos, making $26.5 million. He returned from a broken leg injury last year and started 13 games at right guard and center.
Glasgow took a reduction from $8.7 million to $3.1 million last year, but his scheduled $11 million salary for 2023 has been cancelled.
Edmonds was acquired from the Miami Dolphins last year in the Bradley Chubb trade. He made $6 million last year but he won't make $6 million this year. Edmonds said on the day following the 2023 season -- in which he had 125 yards rushing on 4.8 yards per carry and six catches for 61 yards in five games for Denver -- that he hoped to return on a restructured contract.
These three moves were made three days before NFL free agency opens Monday with the negotiating period.
The Broncos figure to be in the market for one and possibly two offensive line starters.
They also have to address their own free-agent players who are expected to command large contracts in defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones and inside linebacker Alex Singleton. Left guard Dalton Risner is also expected to get paid handsomely but signs indicate he will not return to his hometown Broncos.
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