Report: Broncos received calls, talked trades involving TJ Ward

Aug 29, 2017, 11:41 AM Updated: Aug 30, 2017, 1:16 am

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 24: T.J. Ward #43 of the Denver Broncos gestures after a play in the first half against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Update:

Just after noon on Tuesday, Pro Football Talk reported the Denver Broncos were actually the ones dialing the phone, calling other teams to discuss trade deals involving safety T.J. Ward.

Per source, Broncos are actually making — not receiving — calls about a trade of S T.J. Ward.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 29, 2017

After practice on Tuesday, head coach Vance Joseph said he hadn’t heard anything about trade discussions involving Ward.

“I’ve been on the practice field,” Joseph said. “He’s one of our better players, so I would be surprised if he was, but I have not heard that.”

Ward, whom Denver 7 Broncos Insider Troy Renck caught up with while walking off the practice field, also said he was surprised a bit.

“He wants to be here. He loves Denver. But he also understands the NFL is a business,” Renck told “Stokley & Zach” Tuesday afternoon.

Teams have reached out to the Denver Broncos and had trade discussions involving veteran safety T.J. Ward, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports.

One veteran name to watch: #Broncos Pro Bowl S TJ Ward. The team has received calls & had trade conversations about him, I’m told.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 29, 2017

Ward, who signed a four-year, $22.5 million deal with the Broncos in 2014, enters the final year of his contract with the team in 2017.

In March, Denver 7 Broncos Insider Troy Renck reported that general manager John Elway said a contract extension for Ward is something the team “could look at.”

However, Renck tweeted on Tuesday that, should the Broncos chose the opposite direction, the team has the depth to fill Ward’s role, at least on the field.

#Broncos have depth to make a move. But don’t underestimate Ward’s role as defensive leader. Would be jarring loss in the lockerroom https://t.co/jkjmdd1VaL

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 29, 2017

Denver drafted Justin Simmons with its third-round pick (98th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Last year, Simmons started as a rookie twice and played in 13 games, grabbing up 24 tackles and three passes defensed.

Ward, entering his eighth season in the NFL, has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times, twice with the Broncos, and was a second-team All-Pro in 2013 with the Cleveland Browns.

Check back to denversports.com for more information should it become available.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.