ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – In search of some salary cap space, the Denver Broncos have reworked punter Britton Colquitt’s deal for this season.
Colquitt signed a four-year, $11.677 million deal in 2013 that made him one of the highest-paid punters in the league. But having searched for ways to make some salary cap space throughout the offseason, including asking quarterback Peyton Manning to take a $4 million pay cut, the Broncos addressed what had been the ninth-highest salary cap figure on the team.
Colquitt’s base salary has been reduced from $3 million to $1.6 million this season and the Broncos will save $1.4 million against the salary cap. The team and Colquitt did not change 2016, the last year of the contract, when Colquitt is slated to have a $4 million salary cap charge for next season. That figure will be one of the highest on the team in '16, so it figures to get a long look from the Broncos next offseason as well.
During last year’s training camp the Broncos reworked tight end Jacob Tamme’s deal in a similar fashion.
Colquitt’s 44.2 yards per punt average last season was the lowest of his career, and his net average of 37.6 yards per punt was the lowest since his rookie year (2010).
“It’s a performance-based business,’’ Colquitt said following Monday's practice. “[If I] have a good year, you’ll be right back up where it is for next year. ... I just want to do what’s best for me and my family and right now this is it.''
The Broncos are trying to find a way to keep just two kickers for the coming season – both coach Gary Kubiak and special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis have each said the team hopes to keep just two – but none of the team’s kickers or punters has shown he's ready for the double duty.
Colquitt does not kick off so the Broncos would be keeping him just to punt if he makes the roster. Kicker Connor Barth also doesn’t kick off so a scenario of Barth and Colquitt making the roster together at the cut to 53 means the Broncos also would be keeping a kickoff specialist – either Brandon McManus or Karl Schmitz.
McManus has been taking field-goal attempts in end-of-game scenarios in camp so far as the Broncos try to make the decisions.
