The Denver Broncos made a surprising decision on Wednesday when they released veteran outside linebacker Randy Gregory, a move that signals they have admitted signing him to a five-year, $70 million deal in 2022 was a mistake.
The move also signals that new head coach Sean Payton is holding the defense accountable for poor performances this season. Gregory is the second defensive starter to be cut this week, joining slot cornerback Essang Bassey.
Buy Broncos TicketsHere’s a sampling of how Twitter (now known as X) reacted to the Gregory news on Wednesday.
After failing to trade him, the Broncos cut outside linebacker Randy Gregory. https://t.co/EVdATh7KSs
— Broncos Wire (@TheBroncosWire) October 4, 2023
This is actually good move for both !! But you can never have to many rushers https://t.co/d4ccxOanrF
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) October 4, 2023
The release of Randy Gregory leaves behind dead cap hits of $16.1M in 2023, & $6.3M in 2024.
The #Broncos free up $9.8M of 2024 cap space with this move.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) October 4, 2023
The dumping of JC Jackson and Randy Gregory validate many teams' feelings on NFL free agency: always exciting when signed, rarely exciting through the contract.
Fans/media also tout these deals, very few work out.Again: sometimes the bests deals you do…are the ones you don't.
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) October 4, 2023
The Broncos release Randy Gregory…after giving him 5 years & $70M last year….COOOOOOOOLLLLLL
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) October 4, 2023
The AFC West 2022 free agency splash signings.
1. DENVER – Randy Gregory (released)
2. CHARGERS – Traded JC Jackson back to NE
3. RAIDERS – Chandler Jones (released)— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) October 4, 2023
Well, well…maybe also a sign Baron Browning is getting close to returning https://t.co/5HyN3zbU5Y
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) October 4, 2023
This is the third year in a row the Broncos have moved on from their de facto top pass rusher before the deadline. Circumstances with Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and Gregory were all different, of course, but interesting nonetheless.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) October 4, 2023
Randy Gregory has always been a tremendous talent. It’s a shame we didn’t get to see much of that in Denver. Yet again, injuries sucks
— Joey Richards (@JRDrafts) October 4, 2023
Yep, $22.4M dead cap in total
That makes it the seventh-largest hit ever on a single contract. Just ahead of Goff, and $200K behind Deandre Hopkins.
Biggest dead cap hit ever on a defensive player
All-time bad signing https://t.co/mkDVYkjNNg
— Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars) October 4, 2023
Timing is a shocker but they’re getting Browning back and getting out of a big contract. https://t.co/m725DV8xGT
— Robby (@Robby_NFL) October 4, 2023
“The team wants to focus on young players.”
HMMMMMMMMMMMM. https://t.co/vfnCx5mA2X
— Joey Richards (@JRDrafts) October 4, 2023
Thought this might happen after the season, but not this soon.
He’ll cost the same amount against the cap this year as if he was on the team ($16.5 million.)
He’ll cost $6.3 million next year. That saves the Broncos about $10 million.
Then the Broncos are off the hook. https://t.co/5asEdse5kB
— Henry Chisholm (@HenryChisholm) October 4, 2023
I give the team a lot of credit on this. Eating a contract like that is tough but if a dude is disrespecting the game you have to cut the cord. https://t.co/KN1lQu0DJm
— Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus) October 4, 2023
George Paton’s seat is officially one of the hottest in the NFL
— Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars) October 4, 2023
The old saying goes if you listen to the fans you’ll end up sitting with the fans.
But no fans would’ve signed Randy Gregory and rehired Vance Joseph so there’s that.
— Mike DeCicco (@MikeDeCicco) October 4, 2023
Oooooh boy. Ya, not a good look for Paton, unfortunately https://t.co/xpAgc6Qwvt
— 🄱🄾🄶🄶🄸🄽🅂 (@Mr_Boggins) October 4, 2023
Maybe they should release George Paton next https://t.co/eyY2zrY1B7
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) October 4, 2023
Sometimes, you make a move to send a message — that if a player is underperforming, they can be cut, no matter the contract terms. You might recall Mike Shanahan cutting Michael Dean Perry late in the 1997 season, a year after a Pro Bowl season. Releasing Gregory: similar deal.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 4, 2023
The Broncos will move forward with Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, who started on Sunday. Denver is also expected to have Baron Browning and Frank Clark return to practice this week as well.
