After releasing A.J. Bouye, who could be the next Bronco to go?

Denver Broncos new general manager George Paton just made the first big move with his new team on Wednesday when it was announced that they were releasing veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye. The transaction comes as no surprise, as Bouye had zero remaining in dead money on his contract. He didn’t play up to his salary, was suspended for the last four games of the regular season (and has two more to go) and the move frees up around $12 million in cap space.

It’s the first of many transactions that Paton will do from now until the start of the regular season, but it’s not the last. There are other players, veterans on this team, who may be in danger of losing their job before the new league year begins on March 17.

So, Bouye has been released, but who’s next? The call to get rid of Bouye was an easy one, but the rest of these transactions may be more difficult. Here is a list of some of the players who might be the next released by the Broncos.

***

Jurell Casey | Defensive Tackle

Just like Bouye, Casey was added via trade in the 2020 offseason. Also, like Bouye, Casey has no money remaining in dead cap space and moving on from him would free up around $12 million in cap space. When Casey was added, it was thought that he would be an upgrade from free agent Derek Wolfe. While that was true in potential, it never came to fruition on the field. He played 156 snaps over the first three games of the year, compiling seven tackles and three passes defensed. Casey was hurt in Week 3 against the Buccaneers with a bicep tear and had to miss the rest of the regular season on Injured Reserve. Now, 31 years old, Casey may be expendable for the team without ever really getting a chance to prove himself.

***

Bryce Callahan | Cornerback

With Bouye gone, does that make Bryce Callahan safe? Callahan was added in 2019 to eventually be the replacement for Chris Harris Jr. Instead, he missed all of his first season with the Broncos due to a foot injury. Callahan is arguably the best slot corner in the league when healthy, but he rarely stays at full strength. In fact, Callahan has never played a full 16-game season although he was able to play in 10 games for the Broncos in 2020. A foot injury knocked Callahan out of action again, and the team cannot rely on him going forward. He has a cap hit of $8.5 million in 2021, but there is only $1.7 million remaining in dead money. It’s not a “free” move like getting rid of Bouye was, but the team might feel they’ve had enough of Callahan’s injury woes and move on.

***

Kareem Jackson | Safety

There is a chance the Broncos move on from veteran safety Kareem Jackson. I hope that is not the case for several reasons, but mainly because Jackson is one of the primary players trying to get Deshaun Watson to Denver. The two were teammates with the Texans and having a player like Jackson in your corner is something other teams interested in the superstar quarterback don’t have. On the field, Jackson is still playing at a high level. He’s been a great addition for the Broncos over the last two years and has shown no signs of slowing down. Signed through the 2021 season, there is a team option where the Broncos can get out of his deal before this season and only have $2.8 million in dead money. The option must be picked up before the end of the 2020 league year (March 17). They’ll likely (and finally) sign Justin Simmons to a long-term deal this offseason, so if they keep Jackson the Broncos will have the highest-paid safety duo in the league.

***

Von Miller | Outside Linebacker

Here is the big one. I’m only going to discuss the on-the-field stuff with Miller as the off-the-field issues are a bit hazy at this time. Miller missed all of the 2020 season with an ankle injury that required surgery to repair. The year before that (2019), he saw one of his lowest career sack totals (8.0) even though he led the league in interceptions and incompletions caused by his pressure. So, what does he have left in the tank? That’s what the Broncos will be pondering, perhaps up to the start of the new league year when his team option must be exercised (with $7 million guaranteeing at the time). Miller has one more year left on his deal, with a $22.2 million cap hit and $4.2 million remaining in dead money. If Paton feels like Miller has another good year left in him, then picking up that option – even at that inflated price – makes sense. Miller has stated before that he wants to be a Bronco for life, so perhaps there is a way to restructure his deal, lower his cap number and ensure that he makes the team. It’s a huge decision, much larger than the one that was made on Bouye. We’ll see what Paton thinks of the future Hall of Fame pass-rusher in the coming month.

Related

Rockies drawing trade interest on multiple players ahead of deadlineBroncos No. 31 in the NFL in ESPN’s under-25 Power RankingsThere’s one thing standing between the Broncos and a Super BowlBroncos Country should be careful when wishing for more downfield passesBroncos’ Robinson ‘looks like a future starter,’ so, can they get him more reps?Rockies ride Goodman’s 31st homer to win over Nationals