Denver releases All-Pro Bailey
Champ Bailey spent a decade with the Denver Broncos, making eight Pro Bowls and picking off 34 passes even with quarterbacks only reluctantly glancing his way.
This number was hard to overlook: $10 million.
In a cost-cutting move Thursday, the Broncos released Bailey, who was a defensive leader and fan favorite since he was acquired from Washington in 2004.
There’s simply no room for loyalty in the NFL, especially with free agency about to start and with holes needing to be filled, something that became apparent to the Broncos after a 43-8 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl last month.
Broncos boss John Elway called the decision to release Bailey a “difficult” one given all that the perennial Pro Bowl cornerback has brought to the team over his 10 seasons in the Mile High City.
“Without question, he’s among the best cornerbacks to ever play the game and one of the finest players in the history of the Broncos,” Elway said in a statement. “You couldn’t ask for more in a player than what Champ brought to this team. His combination of elite talent, class, leadership and competitiveness made him one of the all-time greats.”
But age and injuries have begun to catch up with one of the best shutdown cornerbacks to play the game. Bailey, a three-time All-Pro selection and 12-time Pro Bowler in 15 seasons, is scheduled to make a lot of money for a cornerback who may be asked to switch to safety or possibly inside to the slot position.
This was a hard season for the 35-year-old Bailey as he missed 11 games because of a nagging left foot sprain originally suffered in the preseason Aug. 17 in Seattle. Only later did Bailey reveal he sustained a Lisfranc injury.
“I consider it a privilege to have coached Champ these last three years,” Broncos coach John Fox said. “There’s no doubt he played an integral role in establishing a culture of winning here.
“Aside from his natural ability, Champ set a great example with his hard work and relentless commitment to mastering his craft.” Bears done with Hester: Chicago confirmed it will part ways with three-time All-Pro Devin Hester after eight seasons, confirming what he told the NFL Network the previous day. The kick returner, who also has 217 receptions as a wide receiver, will hit the freeagent market.
Hester matched Hall of Famer Deion Sanders’ NFL record with his 19th return touchdown last season, tying his friend and mentor with an 81-yard punt return at Washington in October. It was Hester’s 13th punt return for a TD, extending his own record in that category.
He has also returned five kickoffs and a missed field goal for touchdowns. Briefly: The Colts released starting center Samson Satele and made qualifying offers to three players set to become free agents next week: outside linebacker Cam Johnson (the 49ers’ seventh-round pick in 2012) as well as tenders to cornerback Josh Gordy and guard Joe Reitz. The Colts also signed free-agent linebacker D’Qwell Jackson. … Kicker Billy Cundiff has agreed to a contract extension with the Browns, but terms of the deal were not immediately available. … Former Raiders defensive end Trevor Scott agreed to a one-year contract with Chicago.