After four days of silence from the Denver Broncos, John Elway made an 11th hour decision to match the $18 million offer sheet (over four years) to C.J. Anderson, which reportedly includes a $5.25 million bonus to be paid by the end of the month.
Anderson himself confirmed the news that Denver had matched on Tuesday, just moments after ESPN’s Adam Schefter had reported the story and just 49 minutes before the Broncos’ 2 p.m. MDT deadline to re-sign him expired.
I will be apart of the Broncos for 4 more years blessed to be apart of this wonderful Organization and super blessed for this opp 32-254-22
— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) March 15, 2016
John Elway shared this just a minute later…
Just got off the phone w/CJ & let him know we're excited to match the offer sheet. We have high expectations for CJ and are glad he's back!
— John Elway (@johnelway) March 15, 2016
As of 9:15 p.m. on Monday night, things did not look so certain, according to this report from Vic Lombardi…
As of 45 seconds ago, CJ had not heard from the Broncos. Not hearing usually means not happening. https://t.co/jm5eA2URjl
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) March 15, 2016
The move makes Anderson, a 2014 Pro Bowler and the only Broncos offensive player to find the end zone in Super Bowl 50, the third-highest paid running back in the NFL this year. (Other free agency deals could change that.)
Anderson, a restricted free agent, was tendered a low round offer at the start of free agency, a move many experts deemed a mistake because a second-round tender would have cost the Broncos just $882,000 more than their original offer.
That’s not to say that Miami still wouldn’t have come to the table with their sizable deal, which includes nearly $9 million in guaranteed money over the next two years. (The final two years, each at $4.5 million, are non-guaranteed.) But the second round pick they would’ve given up if Denver didn’t match might have been enough to change the offer (or Denver’s decision to match).
Reaction was mixed throughout the Mile High Sports offices, not to mention the greater Denver media, with the news that Denver had matched Miami’s offer.
On one hand, it was viewed as a “win” for Elway, who saw right tackle Ryan Harris sign with Pittsburgh just a few minutes before the Anderson news broke.
On the other hand, Elway might have cost himself several million dollars over the next two years by not reading the market on Anderson correctly and making that second-round tender.
Here’s a quick look at where folks from the MHS team (and elsewhere) fell on the matter…
Camp #Winning…
Woah! A shocker… But I'm good with thishttps://t.co/uZy300IEmF
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) March 15, 2016
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Just got the news. Broncos matched the offer sheet on CJ? Good for him. Pleasantly shocked.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) March 15, 2016
So glad #Broncos keeping C.J. Time to stop the free agent bleeding. @KDVR @channel2kwgn @RaulSports @NickGriffithTV https://t.co/GXk2VjGCsi
— Rob Low (@RobLowTV) March 15, 2016
To me, best thing about keeping @cjandersonb22 is that @Broncos retain a great person who is wonderful in the community & to his young fans.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) March 15, 2016
In the end, I'm happy for CJ. Good dude who works his tail off.
— Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) March 15, 2016
Camp #Overpaid…
https://twitter.com/kberryourhead/status/709822212551741440
#Broncos had to pony up to keep him https://t.co/nimFSox5sy
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) March 15, 2016
#Broncos match offer sheet to C.J. Anderson. So instead of spending <$1M extra on the 2nd-round tender, they're in for a 4-year, $18M deal.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2016
The Broncos blew this one, plain and simple. Allowed themselves to be outmaneuvered and cornered. https://t.co/hBiXpjVmKQ
— Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) March 15, 2016
I love CJ Anderson when he's healthy. But that's a big number for a guy who logged about as many healthy snaps as Manning.
— Doug Ottewill (@Dottewill) March 15, 2016
That's the other side to it for sure. Surprised they're paying him that much. Then again, gotta retain some players. https://t.co/dQQxwWXwfN
— Nick Griffith (@NickGriffithTV) March 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/709823437024329728
Camp #NoJudgment…
Offseason of surprise continues! https://t.co/m3rIbrC8KG
— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) March 15, 2016
