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One of the top defensive players is bolting an NFC rival for the Denver Broncos.
After initial reports had defensive end Randy Gregory agreeing to return to the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, March 15, the veteran is instead heading to the Broncos, as reported March 15 by Vic Lombardi of Altitude Sports in Denver.
Minutes after Lombardi’s tweet, ESPN’s Mike Garafolo acknowledged the news with a tweet of his own: “Pass rusher Randy Gregory pulling a U-turn. He’s agreeing to terms with the #Broncos, as @VicLombardi reported. #Cowboys deal fell apart.”
Before Gregory reversed course to join the Broncos, Gregory had agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal with the Cowboys, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted on March 15.
The deal includes $28 million guaranteed, Schefter said in his tweet.
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Why Gregory Bolted Cowboys for Broncos
As Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported minutes after the Lombardi and Garafolo tweets, certain details in the Cowboys’ contract led to Gregory’s backing out of the deal with Dallas.
“And so it’s the #Broncos — not the #Cowboys — that are in agreement with Randy Gregory,” Rapoport wrote. “My understanding is Dallas insisted on contract language that Gregory did not like protecting themselves. So he heads to Denver.”
Despite never being named to a Pro Bowl, Gregory entered free agency as one of the top players available after a breakout 2021 campaign with the Cowboys. The 29-year-old was ranked 14th among free agents by Pro Football Focus.
According to PFF, Gregory’s 84.7 pass-rushing grade ranked 12th among all edge rushers in the league in 2021.
Gregory figures to give the Broncos a one-two punch off of the edge as fourth-year linebacker Bradley Chubb will return to give Denver one of the better pass-rushing duos in the league.
Although the Broncos had been rumored as a possible landing spot for their former linebacker Von Miller and elite pass-rushing specialist Chandler Jones, Gregory was always the team’s top target at among all of the pass rushers in free agency.
“Randy Gregory was the Broncos’ top pass rush target entering free agency,” Klis wrote. “They got him. George Paton saw talent flying off the tape. Paton making some bold moves this offseason. Broncos all in on 2022.”
Broncos Sign D.J. Jones to 3-Year Deal
The Broncos continue to make moves under general manager George Paton.
Just hours before agreeing to a deal with Gregory, the Broncos signed D.J. Jones, one of the top interior defensive tackles on the market. As initially reported on March 14 by Rapoport of NFL Network, the Broncos signed the San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle to a three-year, $30 million deal ($20 million guaranteed).
“The Broncos and Jones, formerly with the San Francisco 49ers, have agreed to terms on a three-year, $30 million deal with $20 million guaranteed, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday night,” according to a story published on NFL.com.
Jones started all 17 games last season, posted 56 tackles and ranked fifth among all interior linemen in tackles for loss (10). According to PFF, Jones’ 73.7 defensive grade ranked 18th among all interior linemen last season.
While the free agency period may be just beginning, it’s clear the Broncos are putting together a roster worthy of possible Super Bowl contention.