The Broncos released Ray on Monday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.
Ray will now head to free agency, where he will look for a shot with a new team to add value both on defense and special teams. The 2019 undrafted free agent signed with the Broncos' practice squad back in November and registered two tackles (both solo) while appearing in three games for the team.
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Lamar Jackson: Waived by Denver
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Jackson was waived by the Broncos on Monday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.
The 24-year-old appeared in eight games between the Bears and Broncos last season and recorded three tackles (three solo). Jackson will look for another opportunity with a new team next season.
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Broncos' Essang Bassey: Returns to Broncos
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Bassey signed a one-year deal to return to the Broncos on Saturday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Bassey was a depth piece in the secondary for the Broncos in 2022, but he saw the majority of his action on special teams. While he was non-tendered as a free agent by the team, he should be in line to return to a similar role in 2023.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Stays in Denver
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Locke re-signed with the Broncos on Thursday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Locke was non-tendered by the Broncos in restricted free agency, but he still returned to the team on a new deal. Entering his fourth season in the NFL, Locke has served primarily on special teams and as depth in the secondary. He had his best statistical season in 2022, posting 22 total tackles, one pass defended and two forced fumbles.
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Jonathan Kongbo: Allowed to enter market
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Kongbo was not tendered a contract Wednesday and is an unrestricted free agent, per the NFL's communications site.
Kongbo appeared in three games for the Broncos in 2022 after overcoming a groin injury, and he earned 54 defensive snaps and 32 snaps on special teams. He tallied one total tackle and should find a depth role around the league in 2023.
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Essang Bassey: Goes untendered by Denver
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The Broncos did not extend Bassey (hamstring) a tender or qualifying offer Wednesday, per the NFL's communications site.
Bassey is coming off the second-most productive season of his four-year career, logging 15 tackles and two passes defended over 14 regular-season games in 2022. The 5-foot-10 cornerback missed back-to-back games with a hamstring injury midway through the season, and he saw his playing time on defense dwindle down the stretch of the season. As a result, Bassey wound up playing the majority of his 460 total snaps on special teams (250). The 24-year-old will now be free to negotiate and sign elsewhere this offseason.
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Panthers' DeShawn Williams: Following Evero to Carolina
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Williams (knee) agreed to a contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Williams is set to rejoin new Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who held the same role with the Broncos last season. Over 17 regular-season games with Denver in 2022, the 30-year-old defensive tackle logged career highs in sacks (4.5) and defensive snaps (565) to go along with 37 tackles. Williams is expected to provide valuable depth alongside younger defensive tackles Derrick Brown and Shy Tuttle in Carolina.
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Seahawks' Dre'Mont Jones: Has three-year deal with Seattle
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Jones (hip) agreed to a three-year, $51.5 million contract with the Seahawks on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Jones was sidelined by a hip injury to close out his Broncos tenure, but assuming the defensive lineman passes a physical, his deal with Seattle should become official when the NFL league year begins Wednesday. He had between 5.5 and 6.5 sacks in each of the past three seasons with the Broncos.
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Broncos' Alex Singleton: Re-signs with Broncos
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The Broncos re-signed Singleton to a three-year, $18 million contract Monday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Singleton led the Denver defense in tackles last season, notching a career-high 163 tackles (100 solo). After drastically outperforming his one-year deal in 2022, it's no surprise the Broncos were compelled to keep the veteran linebacker in Denver for the next three seasons with a deal that includes $9 million in guarantees. The 29-year-old will look to pick up where he left off as a strong IDP option, attempting to maintain his extraordinary efficiency in a significant role for Denver's defense.
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Ronald Darby: Set to be released
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The Broncos are releasing Darby (knee) on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Darby landed on IR in mid-October after tearing his ACL and was sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. He was scheduled to have a $12.7 million cap hit, so his release will save Denver a significant amount of money. It's unclear when Darby will be healthy again, but he should garner plenty of attention in free agency if he can prove he's on track for the start of the 2023 campaign.
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Broncos' Patrick Surtain: Impressive in sophomore season
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Surtain made 60 tackles (45 solo) to go with 10 passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble while playing in all 17 games across the 2022 season.
Surtain completed a strong second season in the Broncos' formidable secondary, leading the team in passes defended. The 22-year-old continues to prove why he was worth the ninth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Surtain is still on his four-year rookie deal, so he remains under contract with the Broncos through the 2024 season. One of the league's young stars at cornerback, Surtain will look to build upon the impressive start to his career when he takes the field for the 2023 campaign.
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Broncos' Dre'Mont Jones: Finishes season with 6.5 sacks
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Jones (hip) made a career-high 47 tackles (24 solo) to go with 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble while playing 13 games in the 2022 season.
Jones led the Broncos in sacks for the 2022 campaign despite playing in just 13 games. The veteran defensive end missed the final four games of the season after landing on injured reserve with a hip injury. It appears Jones won't require surgery, and he should be good to go in the offseason as he approaches the free-agent market. One of the Broncos' most solid young players on defense, Jones is likely to see many suitors around the league looking to bolster their defense with a young and rising star. It's possible the 26-year-old could sign a new deal with Denver, but he will likely command a sizable contract.
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Broncos' Justin Simmons: Career high in interceptions
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Simmons made 69 tackles (42 solo) to go with six interceptions, seven passes defended, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery while playing 12 games across the 2022 season.
Simmons finished his strong 2022 campaign tied for the most interceptions in the league. The veteran safety had a solid year on what proved to be a formidable defensive unit in Denver. The 29-year-old set career highs in both interceptions and forced fumbles, though he could've had a bigger year had he not missed five games due to quadriceps and knee injuries. Simmons is under contract with the Broncos through the 2024 season, so he'll likely return for an eighth season in Denver and try to build upon his impressive performance.
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Broncos' Kareem Jackson: Sets career high in stops
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Jackson made a career-high 94 tackles (55 solo) to go with three passes defended and two fumble recoveries while playing all 17 games of the 2022 season.
Jackson finished third in tackles among Broncos' defenders, showing that he could still make an impact as part of a strong defensive unit. Despite setting a career high in tackles, the veteran safety is not quite the difference-maker in the passing game that he once was. After racking up 10 passes defended in his first season with the Broncos in 2019, Jackson has totaled just nine passes defended over the last three seasons combined. The 34-year-old is set to become a free agent in 2023, so Denver will have to decide if it wants to stick with Jackson as a veteran presence or move on. Either way, Jackson could be an interesting player to target in 2023 for teams seeking experience in their defensive backfield on what would likely be a short-term deal.
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Broncos' Josey Jewell: Completes career year
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Jewell recorded 128 tackles (70 solo) to go with 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, four passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while playing 13 games in the 2022 season.
Jewell set career highs in tackles, sacks and interceptions in the 2022 campaign as he proved to be an integral part of a strong Denver defense this season. The veteran linebacker played an every-down role this season and made the most of his opportunities. Jewell finished second in tackles behind fellow linebacker Alex Singleton, and he could've had an even bigger year had he not missed four games due to calf and knee injuries. The 28-year-old is heading into the final year of the two-year contract worth $11 million that he signed last offseason, so Jewell will likely continue to play an important role in the Broncos' defensive attack in 2023.
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Broncos' Alex Singleton: Career high in tackles
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Singleton made a career-high 163 tackles (100 solo) to go with one forced fumble and three passes defended while playing all 17 games of the 2022 season.
Singleton was a dominant force on Denver's defense, having his best season of his four-year career. The 29-year-old linebacker was signed last offseason to a one-year deal worth $1.12 million, and he is set to be a free agent in 2023. Singleton turned out to be a stellar acquisition by the Broncos, and the team will now have to decide if it wants to bring the veteran back after he outplayed his contract. The Broncos' season leader in tackles will likely garner interest from teams around the league, so it would make sense if the Broncos do their best to keep him as an integral member of Denver's formidable defense.
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Broncos' DeShawn Williams: Hurts knee in Week 18
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WIlliams suffered a knee injury during Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Prior to his exit in the second half, Williams had yet to make a mark in the box score. As long as Williams is sidelined, Matt Henningsen and Elijah Garcia should experience some extra run along the Broncos defensive line.
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Broncos' K'Waun Williams: Done with concussion
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Williams suffered a concussion in Sunday's game against the Chargers and will not return, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.
Williams will have to finish his season on the sidelines. In his absence, Essang Bassey will likely take on a bigger role in the Broncos' secondary.
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Broncos' K'Waun Williams: Exits early
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Williams has left Sunday's game against the Chargers to be evaluated for a concussion.
Williams will certainly miss the remainder of the contest if he suffered a concussion. In his absence, Essang Bassey will likely take on a larger role for the rest of the game.
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Broncos' Damarri Mathis: Unavailable Week 18
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Mathis (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Mathis will now miss his first matchup of the 2022-23 campaign due to the concussion he suffered versus Kansas City in Week 17. Patrick Surtain, K'Waun Williams and Essang Bassey should serve as Denver's top three cornerback options in the regular-season finale.
