Both the Broncos and Ben Powers got security for the year with his contract restructure

Ben Powers and his representation knew the math — and the frigid calculus that can go with having a contract that has no guaranteed money left on it.

The Broncos’ primary starting left guard of the last three seasons went into the year with a 2026 base salary of $12,490,000. But if the team released him prior to the 53-player roster deadline, it would all evaporate. The Broncos would be left with a $5.425 million dead-money charge to this year’s salary cap with another $2.175 million next year, but their cap savings this year would be north of $12.7 million.

And when you have a younger player who filled in well last year — Alex Palczewski — on the first of a new three-year deal, there were some compelling reasons to move on if the four-year veteran outplayed Powers during training camp.

Thus, between OTAs — which Powers missed due to a Lisfranc injury, first reported by KUSA-Ch. 9’s Mike Klis — and the start of camp, the Broncos and Powers agreed on a restructured contract that reduces his potential salary for the year, but offers a guarantee that he didn’t have before.

THE BRONCOS AND POWERS BOTH BENEFIT

For Powers, it’s security and insurance. He’ll get paid this season, no matter what happens.

It has some common threats with a reworked contract of years ago. Back then, wide receiver Tim Patrick agreed to a restructure coming off of two seasons scuttled by injury; Patrick had a cap number of $15,571,668 — even higher than that of Powers this year — but a potential cap savings of $9.5 million. It behooved both parties to make a deal then, just as it did the Broncos and Powers now.

Of course, Patrick didn’t end up sticking on the roster; he was cut at the deadline, with the Broncos looking to get younger at the position. A month-and-a-half after the Patrick restructure, the team drafted Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele. And when Vele in particular emerged as a potential contributor, Patrick was redundant. But he walked away with a seven-figure parting gift, and his career would continue.

It seems less likely that Powers will meet Patrick’s fate with the Broncos. Given how the team prizes cohesion and experience up front, the opportunity to have a Week 1 O-line starting quintet that is the same for the third-straight year is as tempting for the team as it is unusual in this day and age.

And no matter who wins the Palczewski-Powers battle, the team would have a starting-caliber reserve on the interior. Given how often it has been forced to turn to backups up front in recent years, that insurance policy will likely be collected at some point this season. Keeping both would also allow the Broncos to play the long game with fourth-round rookie Kage Casey and not feel pressure to push him onto the field if injuries arise.

The Broncos get depth, regardless of which of the P surnames claims the starting left-guard job. Powers gets an assured paycheck for the year — no small benefit, given the injuries with which he dealt and played through last year.

Related

Broncos offering half-price game tickets for as low as $23Colorado native earns a 99 rating in new ‘Madden’ game, but no BroncosIt’s time for the Broncos to unleash a new level of urgency under Davis WebbThe Jaylen Waddle hype has Brandon Stokley a little nervousDo the Broncos have room for two rookie tight ends on their 53-player roster?Broncos will begin training camp with two players on reserve lists