Eric Decker: ‘I would love to come back’
Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker (87) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Heath Farwell (55) in the third quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos have several big-name free agents set to hit the open market, and there are several players who are not expect to be back with the AFC champions next season. Both the Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks will lose a few top-notch players to free agency, and one player the Broncos will most likely end up losing is star wide receiver Eric Decker, who is one of the league’s premier burners. He was shut down by Richard Sherman in the Super Bowl, but he had a great season overall after overcoming an early spell of drops to start the year.
Decker is the team’s clear No. 2 receiver behind Demaryius Thomas, and the Broncos aren’t going to pay him nearly as much as other teams will. Not only do they already have plenty of pass-catching talent and depth, but they also don’t have as much money as some other teams will. Combine their cap situation and lack of need for a receiver, and you get a guy who is set to get No. 1 receiver money elsewhere and will almost certainly be gone.
As for Decker, he says he would “love” to continue playing for Peyton Manning and the Broncos, which, as he notes himself, shouldn’t come as a surprise. He said, via the NFL Network, “You build relationships, but you know it’s not going to be the same next year. Obviously for me, I would love to come back. … I would love to play here. Unfortunately it’s something that isn’t always in my control.”