For the first time in half a decade, Broncos Country won’t have to endure another lackluster quarterback competition in the scorching heat of summer training camp. Super Bowl-winning QB Russell Wilson clearly controls the new offensive under coach Nathaniel Hackett and offensive coordinator Justin Outten.
While Broncos Country can’t wait to get a glimpse of a third place for themselves during public practice this summer, the right intervention stance remains unanswered — at least in the long run.
The Broncos currently have one tackle returning from last season at Calvin Anderson as well as reuniting Billy Turner in Denver and free agent Tom Compton. With the Broncos still in OTAs, consideration is given to which player will receive the starting nod throughout the Broncos Country. An insider singled out Turner as the man most likely to start the right treatment on day one.
“I would give Turner the advantage because he has been a starting player in 43 games in the past three years under Nathaniel Hackett at Green Bay,” 9 newsMike Cleese recently wrote in response to a question regarding the mailbag.
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When GM George Patton implemented his off-season revamp, Turner was signed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal that included a $600,000 signing bonus. Turner was originally drafted in the third round in 2014 by the Miami Dolphins where he played 20 games in two seasons.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound tackle was released by Miami in 2016 and found his way to Denver that same season. During his three years with the Broncos, Turner played 20 games, including 11, before leaving for four years on a $28 million contract with the Green Bay Packers as an unrestricted free agent in 2019.
The Minnesota native heads into his ninth NFL season during his second assignment with the Broncos. Cleese also explained that fans are likely to see more than one player in the 2022 season, and although Turner and Compton haven’t been training in an OTA recently, both players are expected to compete in the training camp.
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Anderson, heading into his third season in Denver, was undecided after dropping out of Texas in 2019. After stints with the New England Patriots and New York Jets, the Broncos signed the 6-foot-5, 300-pound streak man in year 2019.
Anderson played in 27 games during his career, including 11 from last year, in three. He was largely responsible for swing tackle roles and saw some time on both the left and right sides of the offensive line. Denver re-signed it last spring for a one-year, $2.5 million deal.
In an effort to double down and cover all of his free agency bases, Button also signed veteran Compton to a one-year, $2.25 million contract in March. At age 33, Compton arrived in Denver after playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, and Jets.
Originally drafted in the sixth round in 2012 by Washington out of South Dakota, Compton’s height stands at 6 feet 6 feet and weight 315 pounds. He made a career in the NFL by being a consistent and experienced player that his teammates and coaches could count on.
All three interventions play in a one-year “proof it” deal, making them similar in the grand scheme of compensation and competition.
“Financially, there is no leader in the club,” Cleese revealed. “Hackett, offensive coordinator Justin Otten and offensive line coach Butch Barry feel they are in better shape to begin the inaugural season.”
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