The news that Adam Gotsis was arrested related to rape is terrible. No way around it. It’s important to set some factors straight from the onset:
- Gotsis will have his time under the court of law, and all the protections that are insured under the Constitution.
- Gotsis is also having his time under the court of public opinion. Comment however you want in that regard, or say nothing if you’re not comfortable yet with commenting.
- Gotsis may also have his time under the court of the commissioner’s office, with all the trappings that that involves.
The combination of those three factors, however, casts doubt on Gotsis’s reliability to play football for the Broncos, in 2018 and beyond. In a press release, the Broncos say that “take an accusation of this nature very seriously”. If they are, well, serious in that regard, they’ll be doing their due diligence in making sure they account for an absence of Gotsis on their roster, of whatever length. That would also be a significant absence to make up. Gotsis logged more snaps than any other defensive lineman on the Broncos in 2017, at 56.3%.
The timing of the news is fortuitous in only one regard: it broke right before free agency started. The Broncos now have this knowledge before that fast and furious action will officially begin in less than two days, and can adjust those plans accordingly without too much disruption.
The Broncos need not panic at the position. It’s unlikely they could offer too much to free agents with Derek Wolfe already at a high level salary, and the pursuit for a veteran quarterback very much on. Shelby Harris and Zach Kerr also offer reasonable depth at the position. DeMarcus Walker could also emerge as a force in Year 2, just like Gotsis did. The draft may end up being the better place to look after proper research is done on the free agent market.
But the Broncos must immediately take that look. For what it’s worth it, it appears that they are in that market to some extent, though it is unclear as of now whether or not it is related to Gotsis.