THE Denver Broncos filed only one trade as the NFL trade deadline expired, sending outside linebacker Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
According to head coach Sean Payton, the agreement was necessary on both fronts: less of a divorce and more of an amicable separation.
“Well, to be fair to Baron himself, we had a long discussion, and just the year of the contract, the number of snaps — he can get more,” Payton explained Wednesday. “It’s the headache of trying to look outward as well and it’s certainly been a part of what we’ve done. So it’s never easy to trade someone, and yet I I thought during our visit, [General Manager] George [Paton] and me and Baron sitting there, he totally understood. He was looking forward to getting more shots and that’s certainly important this year for him.
Playing the final year of his rookie contract, Browning logged just 122 defensive snaps for the Broncos after a stint on injured reserve. He had already lost his starting job to Nik Bonitto, who leads the club with six sacks, and was passed on the depth chart by rookie Jonah Elliss.
The emergence of OLB Dondrea Tillman (two sacks) and imminent return of OLB Drew Sanders, who is expected to come off the physically unable to perform list.
“I am [excited]”, Payton said. “All these guys… Reintegration for a veteran player, it just depends on the injury, the player and the position, but absolutely. Making sure these guys are healthy because it’s week to week. This next Monday, after the match, it will be a curve ball, there always is. Being healthier, having more depth can help you, but it’s good to have those guys back.
Being a business first and foremost, Denver did well to recoup compensation for a player who was clearly not part of their plans while also granting that player a fairer opportunity to showcase his talents before a likely foray into free agency.
It wasn’t long ago that Browning was considered a burgeoning star in the Mile High City, one of the most dynamic passers of the post-Von Miller era. Now he’s just a ship passing in the night, and soon an afterthought on the franchise.
Such is football.
“It’s always good to feel wanted”, Browning told the Arizona press Wednesday. “You don’t want to talk to the girl who doesn’t want you. I would say it’s the same thing. I’m just happy they wanted me and I’m happy to be here.”
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