Jenver, Lindsay agree to part ways
Thirteen months ago at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, then-Broncos general manager John Elway said a contract extension for running back Phillip Lindsay was a possibility following consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons to start his career.
“We would like to be able to do something,” Elway said. “Obviously, he’s been great.”
And just as obviously, Lindsay’s road out of Denver began to be paved three weeks after Elway’s comments when veteran Melvin Gordon was signed away from the Los Angeles Chargers.
Contract extension? Never got serious.
A third consecutive great year? Didn’t materialize.
And Lindsay continuing his career with his hometown team? Won’t happen.
The Lindsay-Broncos relationship, correctly perceived to be on the outs throughout a 2020 season in which he battled multiple injuries, ended Thursday morning when the sides agreed to mutually part ways.
The Broncos pulled their rightof-first-refusal restricted free agent tender, allowing Lindsay to sign with a new team without the Broncos having a chance to match.
“We had talks over the last couple of weeks with Phillip and (agent) Mike McCartney and at the end of the day, we wanted to do right by Phillip,” general manager George Paton said during a news conference at the team’s indoor practice facility. “He’s been a great player here, he’s been great in the community, he’s been one of the more popular players for the Broncos the last couple years and we wanted to let Phillip hit the market and maximize his value. He deserved that.”
Paton informed Lindsay during an early-morning phone call of the sides’ decision.
Critics will say Lindsay, the Denver South and Colorado alum, deserved to maximize his value with the Broncos. He was the first undrafted offensive rookie to be voted to the Pro Bowl, which happened in 2018. He scored 16 rushing touchdowns in his first two years. And he is spending the offseason training to rebound from a 2020 in which he was limited to 11 games and 502 rushing yards.
But the Broncos simply felt Lindsay was not a fit for what they do offensively, chiefly needing a tailback who can be effective in pass protection and as a reliable receiver. The Broncos signed Mike Boone to a two-year contract on Thursday to compete with Royce Freeman for the No. 2 job.
In multiple Twitter posts, Lindsay said he was “very appreciative for my time with the Denver Broncos. As a Colorado kid, I was able to fulfill my dream of playing for my hometown team. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, staff and everyone involved in the Broncos’ organization who made this possible for me.”
Lindsay also saluted Broncos fans, “for all of your love, loyalty and support during my time. … Thank you Broncos Country, you will always hold a special place in my heart.”