Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
Talks had begun to heat up and a deal seemed imminent a couple of days ago, and now it is official. Ryan Clady will remain a Denver Bronco for the foreseeable future.
The perennial Pro Bowl left tackle agreed to a five-year, $52 million deal with the Broncos, $33 million of which is guaranteed. The guaranteed money is the second highest of any offensive lineman in the NFL, trailing only the Washington Redskins’ Trent Williams.
Clady acknowledged to ESPN’s Josina Anderson that passing up that kind of money was impossible:
It was pretty hard to pass up $33 million guaranteed. That is pretty solid. The structure is a lot better from last summer. Overall, I’m happy to be a Bronco long term. This is a big year for myself and the team. I’m excited to see the outcome. There are a lot of expectations.
Had Clady not signed this deal by Monday he would have been forced to play out the season under a one year, $9.8 million deal because he was franchised by the Broncos this offseason. Last year Clady rejected a five-year, $50 million deal with $28 million guaranteed.
In 2012 Clady enjoyed another outstanding season. Despite playing through a right shoulder injury that would eventually need offseason surgery, Clady allowed only one sack this season while protecting Peyton Manning’s blindside without ever missing a start.
Clady is still recovering from the surgery, but does expect to be ready for the Broncos season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
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