ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos on Monday agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $22.5 million with former Miami Dophins safety Brandon Jones, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person also confirmed that kicker Wil Lutz, who converted almost 90% of his field goal attempts last season in his reunion with coach Sean Payton, was re-signing with Denver on a two-year deal.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Broncos didn't announce the agreements, which will become official Wednesday with the start of the new league year.
The deal with Jones came shortly after the Broncos announced they had re-signed fifth-year safety P.J. Locke to a two-year contract that kept the emerging star off the free agent market.
Locke, who went undrafted out of Texas in 2020, is coming off a breakout season in 2023.
Filling in for the oft-suspended Kareem Jackson, Locke made 53 tackles, 33 of them solo, with three sacks, an interception, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles in a dozen games, including eight starts.
He also became the first safety in club history to get a sack in three consecutive games.
Like Locke, Jones joined the NFL out of Texas in 2020 when the the Dolphins selected him in the third round.
Jones played in 16 games last season and set career highs with four pass breakups and two interceptions. His 2022 season was cut short by a torn left ACL and he had a slow start last season before finishing strong.
Denver fourth-year safety Caden Sterns, who is coming back from a leg injury that sidelined him last season, also went to Texas. So, the Broncos' secondary should have some measure of familiarity even as it adjusts to the absence of All-Pro Justin Simmons, a salary cap casualty in the aftermath of quarterback Russell Wilson's release.
The Broncos were saddled with a league-record $85 million in dead cap charges by releasing Wilson, who agreed to a one-year deal with Pittsburgh for the veteran minimum of $1.21 million. That leaves Denver on the hook for the remaining $36.79 million in Wilson's salary for 2024.
Also Monday, the Broncos lost Lloyd Cushenberry III to the Tennessee Titans, opening the way for a camp competition at center between Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth. Cushenberry agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract with the Titans.
The Broncos wanted Cushenberry to return but they had already paid top dollar to left guard Ben Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey in their free agency spending spree a year ago, and Quinn Meinerz is set to cash in next year after emerging as a standout at right guard.
Kirk Cousins chooses Atlanta, Saquon Barkley goes to Philly
Kirk Cousins is heading to the Falcons. Saquon Barkley is joining the Eagles. Brian Burns is going to the Giants.
The first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period was a free-for-all frenzy with teams making one big move after another, highlighted by Cousins’ decision to leave Minnesota for Atlanta.
The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and the Falcons agreed on a $180 million, four-year deal with $100 million guaranteed and a $50 million signing bonus, according to a person with knowledge of the terms who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday.
Barkley bolted New York for NFC East rival Philadelphia, agreeing on a three-year, $37.75 million deal with $26 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the contract told the AP.
Hours after losing Barkley, the Giants made a splash on the defensive side. They’re sending a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder to Carolina for Burns, who is getting a five-year contract worth up to $150 million with $87.5 million in guarantees, according to a person with knowledge of the terms.
Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowl running back, joins an all-star offensive cast in Philly and replaces D’Andre Swift, who is heading to the Chicago Bears.
It was a busy day for running backs, who have been undervalued by NFL teams in recent years.
Josh Jacobs, a 2022 All-Pro, is leaving Las Vegas for Green Bay. Tony Pollard is going from Dallas to Tennessee, Austin Ekeler from the Los Angeles Chargers to Washington, Devin Singletary from Houston to the Giants, Gus Edwards from Baltimore to the Chargers and Antonio Gibson from the Commanders to New England.
Like the Giants, the Raiders made a major splash on defense after losing their starting running back. Las Vegas and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins agreed to a four-year, $110 contract with $84.75 million guaranteed, agent David Mulugheta said.
The Raiders also are bringing in quarterback Gardner Minshew, who went 7-6 filling in for Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis last season.
Detroit is getting edge rusher Marcus Davenport and acquiring cornerback Carlton Davis from Tampa Bay in a trade. The Lions also are re-signing guard Graham Glasgow.
The Vikings are adding edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and inside linebacker Blake Cashman.
In addition to Pollard, the Titans are getting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and center Lloyd Cushenberry.
The Packers bolstered their defense by agreeing on a deal with safety Xavier McKinney. Green Bay released Aaron Jones to make way for Jacobs.
Jacksonville, which is acquiring quarterback Mac Jones to back up Trevor Lawrence, is adding wide receiver Gabe Davis, safety Darnell Savage, kick returner Devin Duvernay and cornerback Ronald Darby.
The Commanders, who have the most salary cap space in the league, raided division rival Dallas for defensive end Dorance Armstrong and center Tyler Biadasz. Washington also is bringing in linebacker Frankie Luvu.
Several teams kept some of their top players.
The Browns have agreed to re-sign defensive end Za’Darius Smith and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst. The Eagles extended Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson’s contract and are signing edge rusher Bryce Huff away from the Jets.
The Seahawks are bringing back tight end Noah Fant. The Jets are re-signing kicker Greg Zuerlein and announced they signed cornerback Isaiah Oliver, who was released by San Francisco last month.
The Patriots are re-signing receiver Kendrick Bourne while bringing quarterback Jacoby Brissett back to the team that drafted him to play behind Tom Brady several years ago. The Bengals are adding safety Geno Stone and they announced they’re re-signing tight end Drew Sample and running back Trayveon Williams.
The Bills are bringing back left tackle Dion Dawkins, edge rusher A.J. Epenesa and defensive back Cam Lewis.