As free agency approaches, Denver is creating salary cap space.
The Broncos are releasing offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, running back Chase Edmonds and cornerback Ronald Darby, sources confirmed to The Post, which will create approximately $26.57 million in salary cap room for 2023.
Each player was considered a logical candidate for either release or contract restructuring.
Glasgow carried a $14 million cap charge in 2023 but had no guaranteed money left in his deal. His release will save Denver $11 million against the cap and comes with a $3 million “dead” cap charge.
The veteran interior lineman appeared in 37 games for the Broncos over the past three seasons and started 33 times at guard and center. He filled in at right guard early in 2022 when Quinn Meinerz suffered a Week 1 injury, but then settled in and provided stability at center over the second half of the season after Lloyd Cushenberry sustained a groin injury.
Edmonds, acquired in early November as part of the trade that sent pass-rusher Bradley Chubb to Miami, carried a $5.92 million cap charge into 2023 but had no guaranteed money left on his deal, meaning it cost nothing for the Broncos to part ways with him.
He logged just 25 carries and 125 rushing yards for the Broncos and spent time on injured reserve due to a high-ankle sprain.
Darby entered 2022 as a starter for the Broncos but suffered a season-ending knee injury in October. In his place, fourth-round rookie Damarri Mathis settled in and played well as the season went along. Mathis has the look of a potential long-time NFL starter, though Denver could look at the free agent ranks for secondary help and could even consider bringing Darby back with a new contract.
Releasing Darby saves Denver $9.65 million in 2023 cap space and will leave $3 million as a dead cap hit due to the guaranteed money still on his contract. Darby originally signed a three-year contract worth up to $30 million with the Broncos in 2021.
After the transactions, the Broncos should have more than $33 million in cap space to work with when the new league year begins Wednesday. They could still make additional moves in the form of either releasing more players or restructuring contracts to create additional cap space.
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