Broncos Winning Free Agency, But Is It Enough To Win In 2014?
DENVER (CBSMiami) – If you're looking for an early Super Bowl favorite, look no further than the Denver Broncos. Through free agent pickups, the Broncos have, on paper, arguably the best roster in the NFL.
The latest addition to the Denver Broncos' massive haul is pass rushing specialist DeMarcus Ware. The former Dallas Cowboys star was given a three-year contract with the Broncos that will pay him $30 million with $20 million guaranteed.
Adding Ware to a defense that already features one of the best pass rushing linebackers in the NFL, Von Miller, should give massive nightmares to any quarterback who will face the Broncos in 2014. But that's just one of the deals the Broncos have made to go all in on another Super Bowl run.
Late last night, the Broncos signed cornerback Aqib Talib to a six-year, $57 million contract with $26 million guaranteed. Talib represents a huge improvement over Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the Broncos' cornerback last season.
Talib made an impression on the Broncos by constantly holding Denver's star receiver, Demaryius Thomas, in check during the playoffs. But, Talib may still have some bad blood with Broncos receiver Wes Welker, who the Patriots accused of intentionally injuring Talib during a game.
There's still plenty more though in free agency for the Broncos. The team added safety T.J. Ward with a 4-year, $23 million contract with $14 million guaranteed. Safety was a position of need for Denver and Ward was arguably one of the top two safeties on the open market.
Combined, the Broncos have handed out $110 million in contracts, with $60 million of that guaranteed, to Ward, Talib, and Ware. The Broncos are going all in on at least one more Super Bowl run as the team has quarterback Peyton Manning for at least one more season.
However, the Broncos do have some holes to fill with free agency underway and the draft coming up. The Broncos lost a solid guard off the offensive line in Zane Beadles and could use more help to keep Manning upright in the coming season.
In addition, there's a distinct possibility that the Broncos could have a massive salary cap problem in a few seasons. But if the Broncos can bring home a Super Bowl before they have to make major decisions, it will make the salary cap issues much easier for fans to take.
Still, remember that several teams have won free agency by spending lots of money on players (think Washington Redskins & Miami Dolphins). Few, if any, ever make enough of an impact to get the team over the hump to the Super Bowl. But, it's not often a team can add players like Ware, Ward, and Talib to a roster with Manning still on it.