The Denver Broncos replaced outside linebacker Baron Browning in the starting lineup when he spent four weeks on injured reserve with a foot injury earlier this season.
When Browning returned from the injury, he never reclaimed the starting job as Nik Bonitto (6.0 sacks) and Jonathon Cooper (5.5 sacks) took over as the team’s top two edge rushers.
Browning and Cooper were both scheduled to become free agents in 2025. Cooper has been healthier and more productive than Browning, and the Broncos rewarded him with a four-year contract extension.
Denver did not plan to re-sign Browning in 2025, so it made sense to trade him to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a late-round draft pick. It’s a positive outcome for both parties as Browning is now poised to get more playing time with the Cardinals before hitting free agency.
“Well in fairness to Baron even, we had a long talk, and just the contract year, the amount of snaps — he can get more snaps [in Arizona],” coach Sean Payton said Wednesday. “It’s the puzzle of trying to look outwards too and certainly he’s been a part of what we’ve been doing.
“So it’s never easy to trade someone, and yet I thought just in our visit, George [Paton] and I and Baron sitting down he totally understood. He was looking forward to getting more snaps and certainly in the year for him it’s important.”
Browning will aim to finish the year strong with the Cardinals and then cash in during free agency next spring. The Broncos, meanwhile, will move forward with Cooper, Bonitto, Jonah Ellis and Dondrea Tillman.
