After a breakout 2013 season, running back Knowshon Moreno will be a very popular target come free agency in March. The Denver Broncos star thrived this season putting up career-best numbers as he was a crucial piece to getting the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl. However, when free agency hits in March, the team is not expecting Moreno to hang around.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Denver Broncos are not expecting to re-sign Moreno this offseason. The running back is finishing out the final year of his five-year rookie contract. Considering his strong year putting up 1,038 yards and 13 touchdowns just a year after tearing his ACL, the running back could be in for a serious pay raise on the free agent market.
Moreno fell out of favor with the Denver coaching staff during his tenure with the team. Many criticized his effort on the field even though he proved them wrong this season. Now, it appears the two sides will likely part ways after the Super Bowl. Speaking during Super Bowl Media Day, Moreno declined to talk about his pending free agent status, noting that right now it was not his focus.
"My future is right now. I don't live in the future; I live in the present," Moreno said, via ProFootballTalk.com. "Right now, this is what I'm thinking about. I'm thinking about today getting better, throughout the week getting better and on Sunday doing what we can to get the win."
Moreno's fallout caused the Broncos to draft Montee Ball in the second round of the NFL Draft last year. Many believed Ball could actually earn the starting job over Moreno, but the team opted to let the rookie develop and continue starting Moreno. Pair Ball with second-year running back Ronnie Hillman and it becomes clear why Moreno is not expected to re-sign with the team. Hillman put up a modest 218 yards and one touchdown as the third-string running back. Both he and Ball look poised to have bright futures ahead of them and are a much cheaper option than Moreno.
So if Moreno hits the market, where could he land? The Miami Dolphins are in search of a big-named running back. After the team let go of Reggie Bush, their ground game was a serious issue throughout the season. The team has made it clear they intend to spend some money this offseason and Moreno could be their first target.
Another team looking to make a move could be the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team has told Maurice Jones-Drew to go ahead and test the free agent market, leaving them open to signing someone else. Expect the Cleveland Browns and possibly the Oakland Raiders to take a glance at the running back as well.