The Denver Broncos officially gave up on oft-injured left tackle Ryan Clady when they signed former Seattle Seahawk Russell Okung in free agency Thursday to replace him. Okung had taken free agent visits with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and Detroit Lions, but he saw Denver as the best fit.
Though the Broncos may not have a settled quarterback situation for the 2016 season, they still have a Super Bowl-winning roster largely in place. That may have been the deciding factor for Okung's choice.
"[The contract] is a bit intricate, but I thought it was the best deal for me moving forward," Okung said. "Denver is the place I want to be for the long haul."
Okung fired his agent shortly before free agency and decided to represent himself, which is rare. Though it has happened before, it's not seen often.
"I don't necessarily know if there would be anything different about it," Okung said regarding an agent. "I think that other guys, it's for them. In terms of me, it wasn't for me. I got the deal that I wanted."
If Okung, 28, wants to stick with Denver, he'll have to stay healthy and consistent, something he hasn't always done. A 2012 Pro Bowler, Okung has missed 24 games due to injury since being drafted in 2010. He has never played a full 16-game schedule and averages four missed games per year. Back in Seattle's January playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers, Okung suffered a dislocated shoulder that required offseason surgery. Okung says his shoulder feels "good" and that he should be able to return fully in May or June.
However, Clady may be even more of an injury risk than Okung. The 29-year-old vet has missed 30 games over the last three seasons alone. When healthy, Clady might be the better player of the two, but Okung just may be more reliable at this point.
Though he signed a five-year deal, the contract really boils down to a one-year, $5 million agreement with as much as $3 million in 2016 incentives. Denver then has team options for each of the ensuing four years and $48 million of the contract. It gives them the flexibility to cut ties without any major financial ramifications after each season.
