News broke on Monday that the Denver Broncos will release safety Caden Sterns if they are unable to find a trade partner.
Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about the decision to part ways with Sterns after Monday’s training camp practice.
“The depth,” Payton said. “I visited with Caden this morning and I just told him, you know, right now, we felt like it was in the best interest of our team, and — especially this early — he’ll have a chance to either possibly sign with another team or possibly be traded. And part of it is the byproduct of some of these other guys that are playing ahead of him right now.”
Denver has not yet officially cut Sterns, so it’s possible that the team might be able to find a trade partner before a release. By moving on from the 24-year-old safety now, the Broncos will give him a better chance of catching on with another team ahead of the 2024 season.
Payton did not specifically mention Sterns’ injury history, but that undoubtedly played a role in the team’s decision. Another factor was the team’s depth at safety. JL Skinner, who was picked by Denver in the sixth round of last year’s draft, figures to be the big winner of this saga.
Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke are projected to start for the Broncos this fall with Skinner serving as the team’s No. 3 safety.
