Speaking at the NFL combine Wednesday, Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio said he hopes Emmanuel Sanders will have a “major role” on offense this season, a sign that the team plans to pick up the wide receiver’s contract option.
“Hopefully it’ll be a major role for us,” Fangio said. “Emmanuel’s a hell of a player, been a highly productive receiver in the league for a long time. He was having an excellent year last year with the Broncos. We expect him to be back full speed.”
Sanders, 31, tore his Achilles after 12 games last season. Sanders believes he will be healthy in time for the team’s season opener and he has indicated that he is not willing to restructure his contract.
Sanders is set to have a salary cap hit of $12,937,500 this season. If Denver cut him, the team would have a net salary cap savings of $10.25 million and a “dead money” cap hit of $2,687,500.
The Broncos have not asked Sanders to restructure his contract and based on Fangio’s comments at the combine, it doesn’t sound like the team plans to cut him.
Sanders gained 949 yards from scrimmage last year and scored six touchdowns. He is scheduled to become a free agent in 2020.
