The Denver Broncos punctuated a tectonic week with a trio of roster moves on Friday, the last of which involved offensive lineman Quinn Bailey. Set to be a restricted free agent, the odds were low that the Broncos would tender Bailey at even the lowest (original-round) tender because it would pay him nearly $3 million in 2024.
Instead, Bailey accepted a one-year minimum for a player of his experience, which will pay him just over $1 million. 9NEWS' Mike Klis broke it down.
One of the quietest guys in the Broncos' locker room over the year, Bailey played in all 17 games, often as an extra offensive tackle, last year. Knowing he was not going to receive the $2.985 million low-tender as a restricted free agent this year, Bailey dutifully accepted the $1.055 million minimum salary for a player with three credited seasons.
It could end up being a prescient move, depending on what the Broncos opt to do with starting left tackle Garett Bolles. If the Broncos were to move on from Bolles to save money on the salary cap, or trade him, they'll need a competent hand to possibly fill the breach.
Bailey could be that guy, though I'm not saying that he is, necessarily. Arriving as a college free agent out of Arizona State back in 2019, he has spent his entire NFL career with the Broncos.
Bailey was on the practice squad for the majority of that span, but his fortunes began to change in 2022 when he was called upon to start at left guard in the season finale. Under Sean Payton, Bailey was active for all 17 games and started one.
Listed as a tackle, the 6-foot-6, 323-pound Bailey offers positional flexibility, as he can play outside or inside. The Broncos have him listed as a tackle, and it probably represents the team's view of him more accurately.
Time will tell. For now, Bolles is on the roster, and he's complemented by his bookend at right tackle Mike McGlinchey. The Broncos re-signed Cam Fleming last summer, but he's set to hit free agency.
The Broncos also have 2023 college free agent Alex Palczewski, who impressed in training camp and preseason before getting hurt. He made the final roster out of camp, before the Broncos placed him on injured reserve. Payton likes Palczewski.
There's also Demontrey Jacobs, who was signed to a futures contract earlier this offseason. But beyond Bolles and McGlinchey, it's the two-start Bailey, who, at 28 years old, currently has the most experience in Denver.
Suffice to say, offensive tackle is a position the Broncos will be looking to upgrade and bolster in the NFL draft and perhaps even free agency, if the team can create enough cap space to have the means to sign a veteran.
More must-reads: