Pritchard: Brown only in play if Broncos don’t pick up Sanders option

Mar 4, 2019, 1:01 PM Updated: 11:04 pm

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NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that among his takeaways from the NFL Scouting Combine last week in Indianapolis was that a number of teams appeared “intrigued” in possibly trading for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, including the Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and Denver Broncos.

But while teams like Denver might be “intrigued” by the prospects of adding the All-Pro pass catcher to its roster, “Pritchard and Cecil” co-host Mike Pritchard questioned the Broncos true “interest” in adding Brown.

“Yeah, of course, somebody can be intrigued. I mean, who’s not intrigued by Antonio Brown? The guy is a hell of a player,” Pritchard said. “But I don’t know how far it goes in terms of interest.”

Further supporting the thesis of Denver’s disinterest in trading for Brown, 9News’ Mike Klis reports that not only did he receive an “emphatic no” when he broached the subject with a source close to Broncos general manager John Elway at the start of the Combine but he also was given the same answer when he circled back after the Rapoport report.

The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala too reiterated Klis’ report.

But if Denver were to find an interest in Brown’s services, Pritchard said to observe the team’s actions regarding wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and his option, which must be exercised by March 12.

“Watch Emmanuel Sanders. Watch the actions. If the Broncos do not pick up the guarantee, the option on Emmanuel Sanders, OK then. Now, I’m like, OK, Antonio Brown’s in play,” Pritchard said.

Pritchard’s co-host, Cecil Lammey, said he doesn’t believe there’s room on the Broncos roster for both receivers.

“I don’t think there’s room for Antonio Brown if Emmanuel Sanders is on this roster,” Lammey said.

On Wednesday, speaking from the Combine, Elway said the club planned to exercise the options for both Sanders and defensive tackle Derek Wolfe

“They’re good football players, so that’s why we plan on exercising,” Elway said. “It’s different situations, but we’re planning on exercising both of those.”

According to Klis, the option for Wolfe is $1 million and $1.5 million for Sanders.

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