Knowshon Moreno hopes to stay, John Elway non-committal
Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno is interviewed during Media Day for Super Bowl XLIII at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos are not expected to re-sign starting running back Knowshon Moreno this offseason, as he’s one of a few projected free agents set to leave. Moreno finally broke out this past season for a career-high 1,039 rushing yards and ten touchdowns, and he was the leader of a very efficient rushing attack. He benefited from some amazing blocking up front (Louis Vasquez, in particular, was a standout) and open running lanes due to the Broncos prolific passing attack, but Moreno showed great workhorse ability and certainly played a hug role himself in generating over 1,000 yards.
Moreno said that he hopes that he can return to the Broncos, via the NFL Network, “I’m a Bronco, so we’ll see what happens in the offseason, and hopefully I’m still here.”
However, he isn’t expected to be back, and I think it’s a similar situation to the one Eric Decker finds himself in (Decker is better, but it’s still very similar). Both were key players in the Broncos offense this past season, but the team is high on the other guys at the position on the roster and don’t feel the need to keep them. The Broncos aren’t going to be willing to pay as much as other teams on the open market, since they don’t have as much money, nor do they have as much of a need.
The Broncos sound high on the other backs on the roster, as John Elway said, via CBS’s Vic Lombardi, “We’ll see how things flesh out. We have some young backs…it’s a position we have a lot of good competition.”
Montee Ball looked strong during the final stretch of the season, and they spent a high-round pick on him for a reason. He’ll be the team’s feature back next year, and C.J. Anderson is a backup the Broncos seem to be high on as well. Don’t rule out the potential return of Moreno, but I wouldn’t expect him to don a Broncos jersey next season.