Sean Payton explains why the Broncos cut Brandon McManus
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos have a robust reservoir of cash into which they can tap. That helped facilitate their free-agent spending in March, which was the highest in the NFL during the first wave of the signing period.
But salary-cap resources, while capable of manipulation, remain finite. And as Broncos coach Sean Payton noted after the team’s organized team activity Thursday, money played at least a partial role in the decision to release long-time kicker Brandon McManus.
“Yeah, look, ultimately, you’re constantly looking at what’s the best interest for your team. And a lot of times, money and what your musts are come into it,” Payton said.
Sean Payton, on cutting Brandon McManus: "Yeah, look, ultimately, you're constantly looking at what's the best interest for your team. And a lot of times, money and what your musts are come into it. …” pic.twitter.com/N6g6OYftvZ — Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) May 25, 2023
The Broncos saved $3.75 million on this year’s salary cap by releasing the 10-year veteran. They will have dead-money charges of $1,231,250 on the cap for the next two years. McManus already landed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Denver’s decision to release its second-highest-scoring player in club history came nearly two weeks after the club released edge rusher Jacob Martin. The Broncos saved $3,823,529 under the salary cap by releasing Martin, who subsequently returned to a former team of his, the Houston Texans.
The Broncos added swing offensive tackle Cam Fleming this week. But the space created by those moves — a total of just over $7.57 million — could be used to bolster other areas of the roster.
“You guys know this better than anyone: The transactions continue here from now until training camp,” Payton said. “And there may be a player or two we’re still looking to sign. So, we factor a lot of that in, and then we made that decision.”
The Broncos remain without a kicker after holding tryouts Wednesday. But let’s say the Broncos claim the kicker deposed by McManus, Riley Patterson. (Jacksonville waived him Thursday.) If the Broncos claim him, Patterson has a cap figure of $940,000. That would actually have no impact on their present salary cap, as only the top 51 contracts count during the offseason.
But if Patterson became the Broncos kicker, the team would have a net savings of $2.810 million at the position.
As ever, when it comes to many decisions, you follow the money.
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Source: Denver Sports
