The NFL is an ever-changing league and from the business side of things, the teams that are the best at looking toward the future are often the most successful.
The 2019 season is still months away from kicking off, but it’s never a bad idea to look into the future and check out what circumstances a team may face.
For the Denver Broncos, several key players will become free agents following the upcoming season and the six players listed here will all be unrestricted free agents.
Is there any way the team will be able to retain all of these guys?
Chris Harris
2019 salary: $12.05 million
Harris made it no secret that he felt he needed a raise this offseason and even demanded a trade if a new deal could not be worked out.
The Broncos ended up bumping up his pay, but Harris will still hit the free agent market next offseason if an extension is not reached. The Broncos are hoping that their generosity leads to a show of loyalty on the part of Harris.
Derek Wolfe
2019 salary: $9.175 million
Though he is one of the most popular players on the team, there’s at least a decent chance that 2019 will be Wolfe’s last with the Broncos.
Wolfe will be 30 years old next February and may be asked to take less from the Broncos than he could get on the open market if he wants to stay in Denver.
Shelby Harris
2019 salary: $3.0 million
Harris has found a home in Denver after playing for three different teams before he came to the Mile High City. If he has a solid 2019, teams around the league could take notice and try to lure him away.
Adam Gotsis
2019 salary: $984,476
Gotsis will enter the final year of his rookie deal in 2019 and will need to have a big year in order to earn a substantial payday next year.
He’s been a bit of a disappointment thus far. The former second-round pick has 93 tackles and five sacks in three seasons.
Justin Simmons
2019 salary: $767,388
Simmons has turned into one of the game’s best young safeties and with a good 2019 season, could be in line for a nice contract in 2020. If there’s one player on this list the Broncos must retain, it might be Simmons.
For his career thus far, Simmons has racked up 196 tackles, seven interceptions and two sacks.
Will Parks
2019 salary: 610,089
The team’s other young safety will also be a free agent. Parks has filled in nicely when his number has been called and has the ability to be a star as well.
Could the Broncos have to decide between Simmons and Parks next year?
