Broncos Have Had Trade Talks About Veteran S T.J. Ward

Update:

Broncos HC Vance Joseph told reporters he was surprised to hear the reports that veteran S T.J. Ward is on the trading block.

“I have not heard that,” Joseph said, per Mike Klis. “He’s one of our better players. I’d be surprised.”

However, Pro Football Talk reports that the Broncos are actually the ones making calls about a potential trade involving Ward, not receiving them.

[divider style=”solid” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Broncos have received calls and had trade conversations about possibly dealing away veteran S T.J. Ward.

Last we heard regarding Ward, he told Troy Renck of ABC 7 back in May that he and the Broncos have had “preliminary talks” regarding a contract extension.

However, it appears as though the Broncos are now willing to move him in the right deal and go with their younger players.

Ward, 30, is a former second-round pick of the Browns back in 2010. He played out his rookie contract with the Browns before signing a four-year, $22.5 million contract that included $13.5 million guaranteed with the Broncos in 2014.

Ward is entering the final year of his contract and stands to make a base salary of $4.5 million for the 2017 season.

According to OverTheCap.com, trading Ward would free up $4.5 million of available cap space while creating $1.25 million in dead money.

In 2016, Ward appeared in 14 games for the Broncos and recorded 87 tackles, one sack, an interception, two forced fumbles and eight pass defenses. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 50 safety out of 90 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding an extension a potential trade involving Ward as the news is available.