Broncos to release CB Ronald Darby, RB Chase Edmonds

The Denver Broncos' cost-clearing moves are commencing. They are cutting Chase Edmonds, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. A part of the Bradley Chubb trade last year, Edmonds will head straight to free agency as a vested veteran.

This has long been one of the expected moves the team can make to create cap space, and $5.9M in savings will emerge as a result. A former Arizona Cardinals regular, Edmonds did not have a chance to make much of an impact in Denver.

The team is also releasing Ronald Darby, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). The Darby transaction will lead to more savings for the Broncos. Darby was set to earn $12.7M in base salary next season; Denver will save $9.6M by releasing the veteran cornerback.

The Miami Dolphins sent over Edmonds in the Chubb deal for salary purposes, offloading the two-year, $12.1M contract they authorized in free agency last year. That deal brought the Broncos a first-round pick, which the team ended up sending to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for Sean Payton’s rights. But Edmonds ended up totaling just 26 carries as a Bronco. He did perform better in Denver compared to his Miami work (2.9 yards per carry on 42 totes), but the former Cardinal starter will hit free agency at a bad time. Several starter-caliber backs join Edmonds on the market this year, creating a buyer’s environment at a position in which not too many teams figure to allocate notable resources.

Denver made a more notable investment in Darby back in 2021, giving him a three-year deal worth $30M. This was one of GM George Paton’s first signings. While Darby played well when available, he could not shake the injury issues that plagued him prior to his Colorado trip. Darby missed six games for the Broncos in 2021 and suffered a torn ACL five games into the 2022 season.

Dealing with injuries to numerous starters last season, the Broncos encountered a brutal four-day stretch during October. They lost Darby, Garett Bolles and Javonte Williams to season-ending injuries between a Week 4 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and an ugly Week 5 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. That created a need in the backfield, with Latavius Murray first filling it.

Despite being 32 and on a free-agent market with a number of younger backs, Murray may have a path back to Denver. Payton coached him in New Orleans and spoke fondly of the veteran during interviews recently. Murray returning on a low-cost deal as a backup/Williams insurance option may end up happening, though the Broncos will probably seek out a better insurance option alongside Murray in the event their starter is not ready to return from his ACL tear to start the season.

Following Darby’s injury, the Broncos turned to fourth-round rookie Damarri Mathis opposite All-Pro Patrick Surtain II. While cornerback may end up being a need area in Denver, the team does have slot man K’Waun Williams under contract as well. A new defensive coordinator — Vance Joseph — being in place, however, will probably lead to the Broncos looking around at the position this offseason.