NFL free agency: Denver Broncos matching offer for C.J. Anderson
The Broncos informed star running back C.J. Anderson on Tuesday that they intend to match Miami’s offer, keeping Anderson in Denver.
Not a lot has gone right or according to plan so far during the offseason for the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. They lost prized free agents Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan and Brock Osweiler to the Jaguars, Bears, and Texans, respectively, and figured to lose their starting running back too when the Dolphins offered C.J. Anderson $18 million over four years.
The Broncos had until 4 p.m. EST Tuesday to decide whether to match Miami’s offer, and according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the team has decided to do so, keeping Anderson in the Mile High City and effectively making him the third-highest paid running back in the NFL.
Anderson, for his part, took to Twitter to express his gratitude towards the Broncos organization for keeping him in the fold.
I will be apart of the Broncos for 4 more years blessed to be apart of this wonderful Organization and super blessed for this opp 32-254-22
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) March 15, 2016
The 25-year-old back has logged 13 touchdowns and 1,607 yards over three seasons in the league and has a career average of 4.8 yards per carry. Injuries have been a concern since he was drafted by the Broncos out of the University of California — Anderson has yet to play a full 16-game season and has missed 13 regular season games over the course of his brief career.
The move helps solidify a roster in turmoil, as the Broncos continue to wrestle with questions at the quarterback position and with coming to terms on giving Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller the contract he deserves.
It also leaves the Dolphins with only untested second-year player Jay Ajayi at running back, as Lamar Miller left for the Texans earlier in free agency.