The Broncos got their starting tight end back.
The team reached agreement Friday with Jeff Heuerman on a two-year contract that has a maximum value of $9 million.
9NEWS was the first to report of Heuerman’s new deal with the Broncos.
Win some and lose some. Broncos edge rusher Shaq Barrett reached agreement on a one-year contract with Tampa Bay. He confirmed ESPN's Adam Shefter's report that the deal was worth $5 million. With the Bucs, Barrett will get a chance to compete for a starting outside linebacker in the 3-4 system he fits.
It was a bittersweet moment for Barrett as Colorado was his home in college (Colorado State) and his five professional seasons with the Broncos.
"I knew it was coming but I didn't want it to come,'' he said. "I wanted to be in Denver. That's my home. That's my family's home. It just didn't work out football-wise.''
Heuerman has $2 million fully guaranteed among his $4 million payout this season. In 2020 he has a $3 million base salary with $1 million in 46-man per-game bonuses and another $1 million in incentives.
Heuerman got married February 16 in Denver. He loves it here. He entered free agency with a goal of staying put.
"For the most part we held off on everything else,’’ he said. “I know they wanted me back and I wanted to come back. I have unfinished business in Denver. I want to be a part of getting this thing turned around. I would have had an empty hole leaving Denver. I would have felt like I left something out there.
“We got Joe Flacco. We’ve signed some other free agents. We’ve got some young guys. I think the biggest thing is I want to help bring some stability here. Since I’ve been here we’ve had what, five quarterbacks? Four offensive coordinators. Three head coaches.
“I think stability -- especially with our young guys -- I just want to be a part of bringing stability so guys are around here for the bulk of their careers and we get this thing rolling. It will be something special.’’
A third-round selection out of Ohio State in the 2015 draft, Heuerman has battled injuries from the start, but he had a career-best 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns last year. His blocking has also come on to where he helped the Broncos record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from running backs C.J. Anderson in 2017 and Phillip Lindsay in 2018.
