As he turns 30, Stewart getting a chance to show his versatility
Broncos safety Darian Stewart turned 30 on Saturday, but no celebration was planned. Instead, his family threw him a party two weeks ago in Miami.
“I’m back to work and back in my mode,” he said.
Which is the mindset with which he attacks his job, and opponents. When you fought as hard as Stewart to become an NFL starter, you don’t want to let go.
His past decade can be divided into two parts.
Part 1 (200812): Undrafted, even though he started 36 games for South Carolina. He then started 13 games as a secondyear pro for the Rams, but became a backup for two seasons.
Part 2 (201317): Three teams in three years, but found a home with the Broncos, earning a Super Bowl ring in 2015 and signing a
four-year, $28 million contract in November 2016.
“Just blessed,” Stewart said. “No surgeries, knock on wood. I’m just thankful I’m able to be here for Year 9. I’m looking forward to a nice year and just pulling these boys along with me.”
Only seven of the Broncos’ 90 players are at least 30 years old, but six are projected Week 1 starters: Stewart, quarterback Case Keenum, right tackle Jared Veldheer, nose tackle Domata Peko and receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
Stewart’s route to being a key part of the Broncos’ evolving and young safety group (the six other safeties are all younger than 25) doesn’t include being a high draft pick like Thomas or being cut multiple times like Keenum. It took years for Stewart to become an every-week starter, but once he got there — with Baltimore in 2014 — he hasn’t let go.
“He’s the consummate professional, makes all of the checks in the back, and you can count on him every single day,” defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson said.
Part of being a pro is seamlessly adjusting to new coaches, teammates and systems. Stewart is adjusting again during camp due to a new members of the backfield and a change in philosophy by the coaching staff. A shift in how he is used could benefit Stewart, who takes pride in his ability to play in close quarters at the line of scrimmage.
During practice, Stewart occasionally moves into the “box” and Justin Simmons retreats to the deep middle of the field.
“We’ll definitely have that as part of our game plan moving forward,” defensive coordinator Joe Woods said. “The NFL is always about matchups, so whether we need to move Justin down to cover a tight end or move Stew down in case you want to play the run, we’ll have the flexibility to do that with those guys.”
A year ago, Stewart was almost strictly a free safety. This year he’ll be a strong safety.
Against Miami, which was Simmons’ last full game, Stewart played 65 snaps, but 61 were as a free safety (51 in single-high and 10 in cover 2) and only four snaps at strong safety.
“Absolutely interchangeable,” Stewart said of this year’s scheme. “I’m going to rock it at strong safety and get in the ac- tion and Justin is getting more comfortable playing free safety.”
Stewart was strictly a free safety early in his career.
A backup in 2010 for the Rams as rookie, Stewart started 2011 as a reserve until he was promoted to the starting lineup, replacing Craig Dahl. He made 91 tackles and intercepted three passes in 13 games. Stewart appeared to be on his way — until coach Steve Spagnuolo was fired and replaced by Jeff Fisher, who made Dahl the starter and Stewart the backup. He rarely saw the field in 2012 and 2013.
Not offered a contract by the Rams, Stewart signed a one-year deal with Baltimore to be reunited with Spagnuolo, the Ravens’ secondary coach. Stewart won the free safety job in camp and started 14 games (53 tackles) and two playoff contests. Again, though, Stewart was not offered an extended contract as the Ravens opted to sign Houston free agent Kendrick Lewis.
“Once I left St. Louis, I felt like I was growing as a player and I did my one year in Baltimore and I learned a lot there and saw a lot there and was able to get to the playoffs,” Stewart said.
Stewart signed a two-year contract with the Broncos in March 2015, beat out David Bruton in camp and has never given up the job. In 47 games with Denver (44 starts), he’s made 190 tackles and seven interceptions, and the Broncos signed him to a $28 million extension in 2016 before he could hit the open market. Last year he had 63 tackles and three interceptions.
“I always knew I had the ability to get that type of money,” said Stewart, who has missed one game in the last four years. “It was all about staying healthy and being available. I focused more on my body and making sure I was able to play 16 games.”
To stay in Denver, Stewart will need a productive and healthy season. His salary cap number increases from $5.9 million this year to $6.4 million in 2018-19 and $6.9 million in 201920. The Broncos could save $9.1 million in cap space if they move on from Stewart after this season ends.
But the future wasn’t on Stewart’s mind as his 30th birthday approached. He was too busy getting himself and his young teammates ready for the season.
“I’m taking it upon myself to make sure these guys are onpoint and I’m holding them accountable,” he said.