Clayton: A great story has a sad ending for the Broncos and Lindsay

What was a great success story for the Denver Broncos had a sad ending. On Thursday, the team and running back Philip Lindsay reached a mutual agreement to have his restricted free agency tender pulled.

Lindsay was an undrafted free agent who beat the odds and was a star. His career started with back to back 1,000-yard seasons. He is an exciting back who surprised everyone. He is a small back with a big ability to achieve.

Unfortunately, he didn’t win over Vic Fangio’s coaching staff. We probably should have seen this coming.

Despite having two 1,000-yard seasons, the Broncos went into free agency last year and signed Melvin Gordon. He was the highest paid running back in free agency, inking a two-year deal at $16 million. Gordon almost had a 1,000-yard season, so the signing was a good one.

In the final days before the start of free agency, the debate was whether Lindsay would get the low tender a $2.133 million or the second-round tender at $3.384 million.

Alexander Johnson and Tim Patrick got the second-round tender, so the Broncos would have more than $10 million of salary cap tied up in three players if they gave the same to Lindsay. The Broncos made the business decision to give him the low tender.

Players don’t like the lower tender. Some feel disrespected and that may be the case with Lindsay.

It also didn’t help that the Broncos were able to sign Mike Boone, a running back who is a good special teams player. So Lindsay wanted out and the team understood his position. Still, it’s a shame to see such a great player not stay with the hometown team he had success with.

Some team will sign Lindsay. That’s the business of the NFL.