ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Brandon McManus is going to have new companions in the Broncos’ special teams room this year.
The Broncos just agreement with former Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin to a three-year, $7.05 million contract. Which is not good news for incumbent Colby Wadman as even with expanded rosters, teams will only carry one punter. The Broncos had also signed former Houston Texans punter Trevor Daniel to a futures contract in January.
Martin’s $2.35 million annual average makes him the NFL’s 14th-highest paid punter.
McManus, the Broncos’ placekicker, had his $1 million option on his $3 million option exercised by the Broncos last week. So he’s safe.
But the Broncos let go of long snapper Casey Kreiter, replacing him with either Northern Colorado’s Jacob Bobenmoyer or Wes Farnsworth. And now McManus’ holder is about to change as Wadman is not expected to return. Martin was the holder for Matt Prater, the former Bronco, in Detroit the past six years.
Martin also handled kickoffs for the Lions.
Martin ranked 13th in the NFL last year with a net punting average of 41.8 yards and was No. 2 with only 4.5 yards per return. He was tied for 18th with a 45.8-yard gross average.
Wadman ranked 17th with a 39.4-yard net, 25th with a 44.4-yard gross average and 29th with a 9.8-yard return average.
Wadman had been the Broncos’ punter the past 1 ½ seasons after he replaced the ineffective Marquette King.
