Denver Broncos Inching Towards Trading or Cutting Elvis Dumervil
By Josh Hill
Another big name defensive player is hitting the market as contract talks between the Denver Broncos and Elvis Dumervil have hit an impasse and the relationship is beginning to sour. Dumervil hasn’t publicly stated he wants out of Denver but the Broncos are very vocal in that they want Dumervil to take a pay cut before next Saturday.
Next Saturday is a big day for the Broncos when it comes to Elvis Dumervil, because if he’s still on the roster at that point, his $12 million salary for 2013 becomes fully guaranteed and that’s something the Broncos are desperately trying to avoid.
The problems between the two sides begins Tuesday though, as if the Broncos are going to cut Dumervil before Saturday’s deadline, he’d like to be cut loose in time for free agency as he’d be one of the top targets if he hits the market. The Broncos don’t want to pay Dumervil but they also don’t want to just cut him and would like some return for him in a trade.
Teams are going to be less likely to trade for Dumervil is they know the ultimatum is Dumervil is either traded or cut. There’s no sense in paying premium for a guy that’s almost certainly going to hit the open market.
Dumervil’s agent, Marty Magid, said that despite the impasse, Dumervil would love to stay with the Broncos and the ball is essentially in their court.
“Elvis has been working out, he’s healthy, he feels great,” Magid said. “He wants to stay with the Broncos. Right now, we’re waiting to hear back from them.”
The Denver Post reports that if Dumervil is in another uniform next season, the Broncos are expected to give his playing time to Robert Ayers.