The Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL, and while the focus will be on the offensive side of the ball this offseason, the defense cannot be ignored.
While there are a few veterans, like Alex Singleton and John Franklin-Myers, who are hitting free agency, a different player was more important for the Broncos.
And according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Broncos are making a $5.8 million contract decision on this player, cornerback Ja'Quan McMillan. The young Broncos DB behind the controversial Josh Allen interception in the AFC Divisional round is back in Denver.
Broncos make $5.8 million contract decision on DB behind controversial Bills interception
"Broncos are placing the second-round tender ($5.8M) on CB Ja'Quan McMillan, per sources," Fowler reports.
McMillan is a 25-year-old cornerback who will help round out the Broncos' room with Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss, and Jahdae Barron. It was the best cornerback room in the league last year, and with McMillan back on a $5.8 million deal, it should be once more.
In his four-year NFL career since being undrafted out of East Carolina, McMillan has recorded six interceptions, two pick-sixes, and 24 passes defended since the 2022 season.
Adding on his seven career sacks and 195 total tackles, along with his 16 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, and a career 84.6 passer rating against, McMillan has been one of the better cornerbacks in the league the last few years.
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This second-round tender the Broncos are using will allow them to keep McMillan, but the Broncos' cornerback will have the chance to field interest from other teams in the NFL.
Teams can offer him a contract, and if the Broncos do not match, they will receive a second-round pick as compensation for letting McMillan walk.
Essentially, the Broncos will either get McMillan back for one more season or they will receive a second-round pick from the team signing him to a new contract this offseason.
As good as McMillan is, a team likely won't give up a second-rounder to sign him this offseason. The Broncos' cornerback, behind the controversial interception against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional round, is likely to stay in Denver for one more year.
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