Willis McGahee is officially a free agent after the Denver Broncos announced his release on Thursday. The veteran running back has an impressive resume attached to his name including multiple seasons of rushing for over 1,000 yards and a trip to the Pro Bowl. If history has proven anything, it is that the free agent market is not kind to veteran running backs. McGahee will be treated no differently.
With players like Michael Turner, Cedric Benson and Tim Hightower still unsigned, the market is crowded for McGahee. Most teams that showed any interest in running backs early the offseason addressed those needs in the draft. They opted for younger players with fresher legs. Teams are already lining up to say no to McGahee, leaving very few options for him to consider.
The Arizona Cardinals were thought to be a favorite to sign a veteran like McGahee. They have had a shuffling backfield over recent years. They recently signed Rashard Mendenhall to take over the starting job and feel confident he is a player to stick with. Head coach Bruce Arians has been very complementary of the five-year running back. He has looked impressive so far in practice, showing promise at hitting the holes as well as performing well in pass protection situations. With Ryan Williams, Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor also on the roster, McGahee can cross them off the list.
With the Cardinals out of the picture, what teams does that leave for McGahee to consider? The Dallas Cowboys appear to be a strong fit. Owner Jerry Jones has been looking to beef up the run game in order to help the struggling Tony Romo. He made it a priority to go out and get a quality back, but never did. The team has a starter in DeMarco Murray but could use some depth. Injuries have plagued backup Josephy Randle, leaving need at the position. The Cowboys could sign McGahee for cheap.
The other likely landing spot is the Jacksonville Jaguars. The future of Maurice Jones-Drew is hazy. He showed up to camp out of shape after coming off a season of injury. He also has pending legal trouble that could get in the way. The team showed they are willing to look at a veteran after bringing in Beanie Wells for a workout. McGahee could be the perfect fit.