Instead of releasing Randy Gregory, the Broncos are trading the pass rusher to the 49ers, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. Denver will receive San Francisco’s sixth-round pick in 2024 in exchange for Gregory and a seventh-round pick in ’24.
Gregory, who signed a five-year contract in the 2022 offseason, was expected to be released earlier this week, as Denver intends to utilize younger players at the position. However, the 49ers jumped in to trade for Gregory, taking on the rest of Gregory’s contract.
This year, Gregory is due $14 million guaranteed and has a $16 million cap hit. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Denver will pay approximately $10 million of his remaining salary this season, while San Francisco will cover the veteran minimum. (For a seventh-year NFL player like Gregory, that minimum is $1.165 million.)
After the season ends, Gregory has three years left on his deal, with no guaranteed money remaining.
Broncos will pay Randy Gregory roughly $10 million for the remainder of this season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2023
49ers will pay Gregory the veteran minimum for the remainder of the season.
Gregory has three years left on his contract; none of it is guaranteed after this season.
Gregory began his career with the Cowboys, and the pass rusher spent five years in Dallas, totaling 16.5 sacks in 50 games. As a free agent, Gregory originally agreed to re-sign with Dallas but backed out at the last second to sign the same deal with the Broncos.
In the end, Gregory played in just 10 games for Denver, totaling 21 tackles and three sacks. For the 49ers, the veteran will add pass rush depth to a unit that is already headlined by Nick Bosa.