A key blocking presence in Denver final season, Chris Manhertz is shifting off the Broncos’ roster amid a cap crunch. The staff will launch the veteran tight finish, per ESPN.com’s Discipline Yates.
The Broncos gave Manhertz a two-year, $6M deal to rejoin Sean Payton final 12 months. Higher remembered for his time with the Panthers and Jaguars, Manhertz is an eight-year veteran. His launch will save the Broncos simply greater than $2M in cap house.
“I’ve performed lengthy sufficient on this league to the place no matter occurs, it’s simply enterprise,” Manhertz mentioned, by way of 9News’ Mike Klis. “Is it disappointing information? Certain. However it’s simply enterprise. You are taking it for what it’s.”
Manhertz, 31, performed 367 offensive snaps over 16 video games for the Broncos final season. Denver’s dashing assault struggled for probably the most half, and Manhertz (two catches, 16 yards) was a non-factor within the passing sport. Manhertz was seen as one of many sport’s higher pass-blocking tight ends final 12 months, per Professional Soccer Focus. Previous to coming to Denver, the previous UDFA had spent two seasons in Jacksonville and greater than 4 in Carolina. He solely performed three video games for the Saints; these got here in 2016.
The Broncos will want a greater reply at tight finish in 2024, nevertheless, as 2022 third-round choose Greg Dulcich has been an IR mainstay attributable to persistent hamstring hassle. Denver is near cap compliance, being lower than $1M over as of Friday afternoon. However the staff might want to do extra work with its roster to have the ability to afford some free-agency upgrades. The Manhertz launch comes a day after the Broncos lower their longest-tenured participant, Justin Simmons, to finish an eight-season partnership.
