ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Denver Broncos released AJ Bouye’s defender.
The move is the first of several that will have to be made in the corner, as the Broncos rebuild their depth chart in position after a season that saw four defenders, including Bryce Callahan, ending the year in the injured reserve. Bouye also missed the last four games in 2020 due to a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing policy.
The 29-year-old will continue to be suspended for the first two games of the 2021 season.
This move will release $ 11.7 million from Broncos’ salary cap, and the team will now have a total salary cap space of over $ 31 million as they begin work through their off-season plan.
George Paton, who was hired as Broncos’ new general manager last month, promised that “tough decisions” on the future of some players would begin after meeting with research and professional team staff and coaches. the decisions to be made are years of choice in the contracts of defender Von Miller and the safety of Kareem Jackson, as well as the short-term future of defender Drew Lock in the team’s offensive.
The Broncos sent a fourth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March last year in exchange for Bouye. At the time, the Broncos hoped Bouye and Callahan would offer them a veteran set of defenders to help their defense in pursuing AFC West’s Kansas City bosses.
However, Bouye’s game was uneven, as he missed four games with a shoulder injury, as well as another game in the concussion protocol, before missing the last four games with suspension.
He finished with 21 approaches and no interceptions in seven games.
At the time of his suspension, coach Vic Fangio said: “I was disappointed for him. Players have to make very good judgments with people they trust in their careers and finances. Obviously, something went wrong with this person they He treated her with confidence and confidence. It’s a disappointing situation for everyone. “
Bouye, an eight-year veteran, has 14 interceptions, 72 assists and 338 career tackles.