New Broncos Linebacker Randy Gregory (Photo: Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
The Broncos proving to be a destination for free agents once again, as they've agreed to terms on a 5-year, $70 Million Deal with veteran Edge Rusher Randy Gregory, $28 Million is guaranteed.
The former 2nd Round pick chose to come to Denver rather than stay in Dallas with the only team he's known since entering the league in 2015, after it was reported earlier Tuesday that he was going to return to the Cowboys.
In 7 NFL seasons, Gregory has amassed just 16.5 sacks. Last year was his most productive year as he started 11 games, after only starting 1 prior to that since entering the league. The 6-5, 258 Nebraska alum has immense physical skill, but displaying that on a consistent basis has been an overwhelming challenge to this point.
There's an old saying in sports, "the best ability is 'availability!'" While Gregory's talent has never been questioned his commitment and subsequent AVAILABILITY has certainly been an issue at times. In addition to injury issues that have kept him sidelined at times, Gregory has battled issues with suspension due to repeated violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy. The first red flag was waived in at the NFL's Scouting Combine as he entered the league when he tested positive for marijuana. He received a 4-game suspension in 2016 for marijuana use. He was barred from playing in a playoff game that season, as well as being forced to sit all of the 2017 season for missing a drug test. Despite those suspension, Gregory again failed a drug test in 2019 that resulted in an indefinite suspension from the NFL. He applied for reinstatement a year later, and after adding an additional 6 game ban, he was back on the field in October of 2020.
Although the Cowboys courted Gregory hard, and their restructuring of fellow pass rusher, DeMarcus Lawrence's contract cleared room to retain him, but, ultimately chose to see if the pastures were greener in the Mile High City. So, for the 2nd time in a decade, the Broncos were able to lure a No. 94 away from Dallas.