The Denver Broncos do not have time to wallow in their sorrows of a lost Super Bowl. With the official offseason beginning in just under a month, the team must start preparing to open their wallets as several marquee players prepare to hit the free agent market. The Broncos have a large number of expiring contracts on their roster that must be taken care of. The first priorities appear to start with their wide receiving corps.
Several of the Broncos' wide receivers are scheduled to be free agents or are entering the final years of the current contracts. With that being said, the first man out could be Eric Decker. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport is reporting the Broncos expect Decker to test free agency. However, the team hopes the wide receiver eventually decides to return.
The Denver organization reportedly only views Decker as a No. 2 wide receiver and not a No. 1 option as far as contract money is concerned. His stats on the field state otherwise. Only Calvin Johnson and Dez Bryant put up more touchdown catches in 2013. Decker had 31 catches over the past three seasons. That is a high amount of productivity and he is ready to make a nice pay raise because of it.
Decker will not be restricted so any team can make him a high offer. Considering his stats over the past three seasons, many teams will try and out-bid the Broncos for the wide receiver. If Decker wants big money, there is no chance he is returning to Denver in 2014.
The Broncos also have to focus on Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas who are both entering the final years of their contracts. Both receivers were very valuable to Denver this season and the Broncos are making their extensions top priorities. While they might not get them this offseason, saving money for their big deals is a concern. Denver is making sure to not overpay anyone so they are setup well next offseason.
The team is reportedly prepared to say goodbye to running back Knowshon Moreno. Rapoport notes that Moreno is also not expected to re-sign with the team and could earn a big contract with teams like the Miami Dolphins or Jacksonville Jaguars who are both in need of a top running back.
So who will re-sign in Denver? The team is expected to sign defensive end Shaun Phillips to an extension after he led the team with 10 sacks. Head coach John Fox is also expected to receiver a new contract.