Russell Okung's agreement with the #Broncos (first reported by @JosinaAnderson) is 5 years, up to $12M per year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2016
As always, the full contract details are what matter, but it seems the Broncos are confident that Okung will fit what they want to do on the offensive line
This would also signal they may not keep Ryan Clady around. Given the money they are reportedly giving to Okung, they aren’t going to have him start at right tackle. The Broncos definitely want him on the left side.
(UPDATE: Contract details are after the jump.)
UPDATE: Rapoport also shared this tidbit.
The belief is the #Broncos now try to trade LT Ryan Clady, with Okung agreeing to terms in Denver.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2016
Teams who might be interested are the Giants, the Lions and Okung’s former team, the Seahawks. Given that multiple teams are looking for offensive line help, it’s not out of the question that Clady could be traded.
UPDATE 2:21 P.M. MDT: The total contract per this tweet.
5-year, $53M deal for @RussellOkung has him headed to the @Broncos!
(via @RapSheet | 1st Report @JosinaAnderson) pic.twitter.com/R99P5Q0oEr
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 17, 2016
UPDATE 3:05 P.M. MDT: Here are some contract details from Jason LaCanfora.
Russell Okung's deal with Denver is essentially 2 contracts in one. He gets $5M guaranteed for 2016 w/chance to make up to $8M in incentives
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 17, 2016
Then Denver has a window after the season to opt to pick up an option for a 4yr deal (2017-2020) worth $12M/year w/$20.5M guaranteed…
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 17, 2016
Deal provides opportunity to be worth up to $10.6M/yr if Okung can stay healthy and produce this season. He had 1yr offer from DET on table
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 17, 2016
Now that sure looks like a better deal, doesn’t it? In reality, it’s a mere one-year, $5M contract with Okung needing to prove himself and, if he does, he’ll get $3M more this year and $20.5M more after that… and I imagine some of that $20.5M is an injury-only guarantee. If he doesn’t prove himself, the Broncos decline the option and he becomes a free agent.
This deal sounds very much like this one the Jaguars gave to Kelvin Beachem.
#Jaguars signed LT Kelvin Beachum to a 1-yr, $4.5M deal… with a 4-year option worth $40M, source said. Creative with Beachum off an ACL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2016
At any rate, a one-year, $5M deal, with $3M in incentives, with the option for additional years is definitely a team-friendly deal. I would assume Okung’s cap number will be $5M, which is acceptable.
Now that I’ve seen the contract details, I like this deal for the Broncos. If Okung lives up to his potential, they can exercise the option and reward him. If not, they decline the option and it won’t cost the Broncos more than $8M, depending on what the incentives are.
Well done, John Elway.
