Examining the Cost of Broncos Cutting These 6 Veterans

Are any of these Denver Broncos veterans fans are talking about likely to get the boot?

With two preseason games out of the way for the Denver Broncos and a third one remaining, we are closer to the point where the team will need to trim the roster down to 53 players.

There will be many players on rookie contracts who could find themselves out of the picture, but the same could be true of veterans who are signed for more money.

I'm going to review some of the higher-priced veterans who could be on the roster bubble, either to save money or simply because the veteran isn't getting the job done.

I won't be looking at players who would go through waivers because said players are on mostly cheaper deals with no guaranteed money. A player such as tight end Albert Okwuegbanum has no guaranteed money for 2023, so there's no risk in letting him go.

For players under veteran contracts, though, the Broncos must weigh both roster and financial implications about cutting them, ensuring they have both the depth that allows them to cut the player and protecting against a negative financial hit.

Let's look at some of the players who might get discussed as a potential cut and whether or not it makes sense.

Jarrett Stidham | QB

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I wasn't a fan of the Stidham contract before, and I'm less of a fan now. Stidham has not done well in training camp and has been bad in both preseason outings. While Ben DiNucci hasn't been great, he's fared better than Stidham.

However, the Broncos are likely stuck with Stidham, given how much fully guaranteed money they gave him. He's due $5M in full guarantees, and if he's cut, the Broncos would still owe him that money and lose $1M in cap space. A trade would get the Broncos out of his base salary, but a trade isn't likely to happen.

Like it or not, Stidham is going to be on the 2023 roster. However, he may already be at the top of the list of players cut in 2024, given that the Broncos, even when owing him $1M, would save $5M.

Garett Bolles | OT

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Bolles was reportedly the subject of trade talks early in the offseason, and in his first preseason game, he struggled. Some may have wondered if the Broncos might just cut him because it would save the Broncos $11.8 million in cap space, and he would be due just $2M in fully guaranteed salary for 2023.

However, Bolles played better in the second preseason game. Though he still has room for more improvement, that he did improve from one game to the next means that cutting him would be a premature move.

The Broncos might look for a veteran to improve the depth at offensive tackle, but expect the Broncos to have Bolles as the starting left tackle to open the season.

Mike Purcell | DL

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Purcell hasn't taken a snap during the preseason because he is on the non-football injury list. He has yet to be activated from the list.

There were concerns going into training camp about the depth of the defensive line. However, multiple players such as Matt Hennigsen and Elijah Garcia have looked good in the preseason, thus easing that concern.

The Broncos would likely have to pay Purcell an injury settlement if they cut him, but it would be less than the $2.75M base salary that he is due. The Broncos don't need to make an immediate decision here, but how other defensive linemen perform against the Rams could determine Purcell's fate.

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K'Waun Williams | CB

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

I've previously mentioned that Williams might be on the roster bubble, given how some of the younger cornerbacks performed in the preseason opener. After the second preseason outing, though, there weren't as many younger players who stood out.

Williams, though, is dealing with an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if he'll be able to play in preseason Game 3. That would give those younger cornerbacks an opportunity to sew up roster spots.

If Williams is released, the Broncos would save about $2M, minus what they pay in an injury settlement. Whether or not he's cut depends on what other cornerbacks do in the preseason finale. Another option is that Williams makes the final roster but is then placed on IR, designated to return.

Tremon Smith | CB

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Smith is another veteran who some might wonder if he's caught up in the numbers game. He was signed primarily for his work on special teams, but he has yet to exactly stand out.

However, the Broncos paid Smith $2.5M in fully guaranteed money. They would still owe him a $1.1M base salary (he's already received a $1.4M signing bonus) if the Broncos cut him, though that would have offset clauses.

The Broncos wouldn't lose cap space if they cut Smith, but they wouldn't gain any, either. A trade would allow them to get out of paying his base salary, but they would have to find a trading partner, and that's far from guaranteed.

Cameron Fleming | OT

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After doing a respectable job as a starter for much of 2022, the Broncos brought back Cam Fleming to be the swing tackle. He struggled in the preseason opener but slightly improved in the second preseason game.

One can't rule out the Broncos looking at other veterans for depth, though. The Broncos did give Fleming a small amount of fully guaranteed money ($600K) but would save $1.6M if he's cut.

With Fleming, this likely depends on what the Broncos think about younger offensive tackles on the roster. If they like the younger players, they might go with them instead of Fleming. Otherwise, they will likely keep Fleming unless they acquire a veteran who is an upgrade over him.

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