Paton, Broncos have flexibility after 2021 season

Not only has Denver GM George Paton bolstered this Broncos roster this offseason but also the team's options heading into next

BY JOHN DAVIS

Mar 26, 2021, 7:44 AM Updated: 8:27 am

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Denver general manager George Paton, thus far in free agency, has garnered praise for bringing optimism back to Broncos Country.

Not only has Paton’s decisions improved the Broncos roster but they’ve also afforded the team flexibility in the 2021 NFL Draft. The real praise for Paton is the new GM provided himself flexibility beyond this offseason.

The pieces put in place by Paton has given head coach Vic Fangio his best opportunity to win since being hired in 2019. However, if Paton decides to move on from Fangio when his contract expires next offseason, he’s not tied down to this roster.

Kyle Fuller, Kareem Jackson, Von Miller and Bryce Callahan are all making decent money, but all four are in the final year of their contracts. Further, Bradley Chubb has a potential of two years left on his rookie deal, should the Broncos pick up his fifth-year option.

Mike Purcell, Shelby Harris and Ronald Darby are locked in, with decently-sized contracts, after 2021, but the money is not enough to ruin the Broncos’ salary cap. If Denver does rebuild in 2022, all three would be solid, experienced players filling out the roster.

On the offensive side of the ball, Paton has the freedom to change course next offseason.

Jerry Jeudy, Noah Fant, Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry and K.J. Hamler are all on rookie contracts — a lot of quality talent for cheap in which Paton can build a young core.

Ja’Wuan James, who has the largest contract on the offense, is likely gone after 2021, and playmakers Melvin Gordon III, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick are all in the final year of their deals.

The current roster provides Paton freedom with the draft. Outside of quarterback and inside linebacker, the Broncos are set with starters at every other position.

Paton can draft and develop rookies during the 2021 season and prepare them to replace the veterans in 2022, so there’s no rush to push a rookie onto the field.

And with the exception of Garett Bolles and Justin Simmons, Paton hasn’t been saddled with any big, long-term contracts heading into next season.

Without being loaded with bad contracts, Paton has positioned himself to make a logical decision on the Broncos future beyond 2021. If Denver performs well and are on the right path, Paton can choose which players to retain and which players to replace with younger talent.

If the bottom completely falls out in 2021 and the Broncos are once again at the bottom of the NFL, Paton can fire Fangio and begin a roster build in the vision of his new head coach.

Paton has options.

The Broncos still have the draft and we’ve yet to see Paton’s plan for the quarterback position. One thing is for sure, Paton has improved the Broncos in the immediate future without sacrificing the team’s long-term prospects.