With salary cap limitations, the Denver Broncos might be in danger of losing multiple starters during NFL free agency this spring.
One of the team’s most notable in-house free agents is center Lloyd Cushenberry, who is coming off arguably the best season of his career. He earned a little more than $1.16 million per season on his rookie contract with the Broncos over the last four years. Now the center could be due for a huge raise on his next contract.
Pro Football Focus projects Cushenberry could receive a four-year, $57.1 million contract during free agency, an average of $14.28 million per season.
Such a deal would put Cushenberry among the highest-paid centers in the league. This year, Ryan Kelly ($14.625 million) and Corey Linsley ($14.1 million) will have the highest salary cap hits among centers.
Going by average salary over the length of a contract, Jason Kelce ($14.25 million) is currently the highest-paid center in the league. PFF’s projected contract would give Cushenberry a higher average than Kelce, a seven-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro and one-time Super Bowl champion.
That’s a reflection of the state of NFL free agency. The highest-paid players at each position are often the most recently paid, not necessarily the best. Cushenberry is a very good center, but the Broncos probably can’t afford him if PFF’s projection proves to be accurate.
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