ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — In a stunning — and public — reversal of free-agency fortune, the Denver Broncos have agreed to terms with free agent outside linebacker Randy Gregory.
The Dallas Cowboys had announced on the team’s social media accounts Tuesday morning Gregory had agreed to a deal to return to the team, but multiple Broncos sources confirmed Gregory had instead agreed to a deal with Denver. The deal is the same in basic construction — five years, $70 million with $28 million in guarantees, largely coming in the first two years of the deal.
The Broncos had done extensive due diligence on Gregory’s past suspensions before free agency opened, and the team’s personnel department had graded Gregory as one of the top edge rushers available in free agency. The team had negotiated throughout Monday with Gregory’s representatives in hopes of a deal.
The Broncos also agreed to re-sign linebacker Josey Jewell to a two-year, $11 million contract on Tuesday, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Broncos general manager George Paton said at the NFL scouting combine that Jewell is “completely recovered” from torn pectoral he suffered in Week 2 last season.
Gregory, 29, joins Bradley Chubb as the starting outside linebackers in the Broncos’ 3-4 defense. The Broncos are hopeful that Gregory can continue his career resurgence.
Due to a variety of injuries and suspensions, Gregory has never started more than 11 games in a season and never finished with more than six sacks.
His surprising change of heart isn’t the first time the Broncos have lured a free agent who appeared to be headed elsewhere late in the process. In 2014 they finished the terms on a deal with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders’ representatives while Sanders was in the Kansas City Chiefs’ complex on a visit.
That was also the same year the Broncos signed DeMarcus Ware, who had been released by the Cowboys. Like Ware, Gregory also wore No. 94 with the Cowboys.
Gregory’s signing and the trade for quarterback
Source : espn
