ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos are moving on from two of their most accomplished veteran players in receiver Tim Patrick and running back Samaje Perine, sources tell 9NEWS.
In each case, the Broncos are trying to trade them and there is interest in both, according to the sources. However, if deals can't be executed, Patrick and Perine will be released, according to the sources.
The Patrick move is the more surprising of the two because he had been running with the Broncos' first-team offense the past two-plus weeks and had an impressive preseason with five receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown. He was especially sharp in the second preseason game against Green Bay and didn't play in the final preseason contest Sunday -- as was the award for all the projected starters.
Working against Patrick, though, was he was coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries suffered in training camp -- an ACL in 2022 and Achilles in 2023 -- and the team does have considerable depth at the receiver position.
After drawing $20 million from the past two years thanks to his 2020 and 2021 outputs when he had at least 50 catches for 700-plus yards, Patrick was in line to only make the $1.295 million minimum salary this year so money wasn't a factor.
The Broncos' receiver room is expected to include Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Josh Reynolds, Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele and either Lil'Jordan Humphrey, David Sills V or Brandon Johnson.
Perine was the former Cincinnati Bengal who signed a two-year, $7.5 million deal as a free agent with the Broncos last year. He was effective in a third-down role with emphasis on the final 2 minutes of each half. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry and had 50 receptions while drawing $4.5 million in 2023.
The Broncos saved his $3 million non-guaranteed payout this year. With Perine gone, the Broncos' three running backs will be Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime.
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