Source: Denver bringing Bassey back on one- year deal
After a shopping spree to start free agency, the Broncos are fortifying their depth by bringing a few 2022 players back to the roster.
The latest is cornerback Essang Bassey, who is returning to Denver on a one- year deal, a source confirmed Saturday evening to The Post. Bassey, 24, appeared in 14 games for Denver in 2022 and has appeared in all but one of his 28 NFL games with the franchise.
He brief ly spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers
in 2021 before returning to Denver again last offseason.
He didn’t make the roster out of training camp but quickly ended up back with the team due to injuries and turned himself into a special teams regular and depth piece in the secondary.
That looks like a likely role for him again in 2023, joining recently signed Tremon Smith as cornerback depth after the top trio of Pat Surtain II, Damarri Mathis and nickel K’waun Williams.
Denver made a similar move at the safety position late in the week bringing
P. J. Locke back on a oneyear contract.
Bassey and Locke each began the offseason as restricted free agents but the Broncos opted not to protect any of the four on their roster by tendering a contract. Even still, the pair of defensive backs are now back in the fold for general manager George Paton and new head coach Sean Payton. Both positions could see additional free agent additions or perhaps draft picks used late in April.
Bassey in 2022 played 62% of Denver’s special teams in the 14 games he appeared in.
He had perhaps his strongest overall game in Denver’s season- closing 3128 win over the Chargers, playing a season- high 43 defensive snaps and finishing with three tackles ( one for loss) and a pass defensed.
Denver could still lose safety Kareem Jackson to free agency and released corner Ronald Darby before the league year started on Wednesday, but the secondary overall is set to have a substantial amount of continuity between the returning players and Payton’s decision to retain defensive backs coach Christian Parker for his new coaching staff.