The Denver Broncos are reportedly close to signing offensive tackle Russell Okung to a long-term contract
The Denver Broncos are coming off of a win in Super Bowl 50, but the offseason has dramatically changed their roster looking ahead to the 2016 NFL season. Subsequently, they have plenty of moves that they need to make and they seem to be looking to make them, particularly on the offensive line and with free agent Russell Okung.
As Okung is on the free agent market for this first time in his career, he was undoubtedly looking to sign a lucrative long-term deal and the Broncos have emerged as a team more than willing to appease him. As first reported by ESPN’s Josina Anderson, the Broncos are finalizing a five-year deal with Okung:
Sources tell me that OT Russell Okung is close to finalizing a 5-year deal with the Denver #Broncos worth $10.6M per year.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 17, 2016
While Anderson reports the deal is worth $10.6 million per year, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com is reporting that the deal could pay him up to $12 million per:
Russell Okung's agreement with the #Broncos (first reported by @JosinaAnderson) is 5 years, up to $12M per year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2016
The signing of Okung also has other implications for the Broncos offensive line as Rapoport is also reporting that the word around the league given this new deal is that Denver will now look to trade veteran left tackle Ryan Clady:
The belief is the #Broncos now try to trade LT Ryan Clady, with Okung agreeing to terms in Denver.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2016
Okung is certainly a big get for the Broncos as he’s been a consistent presence on the Seattle Seahawks offensive line since they took him sixth-overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. Who knows who Okung will be protecting at quarterback for the Broncos, but whoever it is will now have one of the best tackles in the league making sure he stays upright.
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