Broncos general manager John Elway said at the NFL combine on Tuesday that the team will not pick up guard Ron Leary’s contract option for the 2020 season. Moving on from Leary will save Denver more than $8 million in salary cap space.
Elway also announced that the team is picking up the contract options for kicker Brandon McManus (a $1 million option) and inside linebacker Todd Davis (a $500,000 option). Elway previously announced late last year that outside linebacker Von Miller will have his option picked up.
Miller will have the most expensive cap hit on the team this year: $25,625,000. Davis ($6 million) and McManus ($4.25 million) have much smaller but still significant cap charges.
Before making any moves, the Broncos are projected to have around $62 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com. Removing Leary from the team’s books should bring that total to about $70 million. If Denver cuts quarterback Joe Flacco, that total could increase to more than $80 million.
The new league year — and NFL free agency — will begin on March 18.
