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Report: Terrance Knighton won’t return to Broncos, signaling rush out of Denver

By Brandon C. Williams

Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (98) reacts during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (98) reacts during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Broncos’ rush to get under the salary cap will cost them the services of defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, who confirmed that he would not be back with the team.

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Winning comes with a price, and when the price becomes too steep, the only option is to pare down salaries.

The process is a late-February tradition throughout the NFL, as teams look to get under the salary cap. For the Denver Broncos, getting to the magic number of the projected $143 million will cost them veteran DT Terrance Knighton, who sent a text to BSNDenver.com reporter Brandon Spano that he would not be returning to the team for the 2015 season.

Knighton, who signed with the Broncos in 2013, will become an unrestricted free agent after his two-year, $4.5 million salary expired. The 28-year-old is reportedly seeking a deal in the neighborhood of $7 million per season, which would put him among the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league. With both wideout Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas on the verge of hitting free agency, the Broncos are more focused on retaining two of their top playmakers rather than spurge on Knighton.

“Sometimes I wake up and say ‘forget this, I’m going to test the market out and I don’t care what they say’ but other days I wake up and want to finish what I started and get back in there with my guys,” said Knighton last week.

Knighton may not be the only other interior lineman saying so long to the Mile High City. Right tackle Orlando Franklin is also seeking a contract in the $7 million range, which would put him with Goster Cherilus of the Colts as the highest paid player at the position.

Again, that could prove difficult for the Broncos, who reportedly closed the door on talks of an extension for Franklin, who made $1.386 million last season. The team knows it is highly unlikely they would be able to match any offer for Franklin, who will become a highly-touted free agent when things kick into high gear on March 10.

The adage “things happens in threes” applies to this story, as it appears Julius Thomas will be looking for a record-setting standard for guaranteed money at tight end. Thomas made just $741,000 last season and could end up making close to ten times the amount.

Peyton Manning will most likely return this season, yet without Franklin protecting him and lacking the big play potential of Thomas, you may not want to hold your breath when it comes to expecting Manning to revert to his record-shattering 2013 form.

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