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3 Denver Broncos defensive free agents who won’t be back in 2022

By Sayre Bedinger

Denver Broncos offseason; Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) is pushed out of bounds by Denver Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos offseason; Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) is pushed out of bounds by Denver Broncos cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos offseason: Kareem Jackson #22 of the Denver Broncos celebrates against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 12, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Denver Broncos defensive free agent: Kareem Jackson, S

Although Kareem Jackson is beloved by Denver Broncos fans and in the locker room, we may have seen the last of him in a Broncos uniform.

The Broncos opted out of Jackson’s contract last offseason before ultimately convincing him to come back at a reduced rate. Jackson continued to play his very physical brand of football since transitioning to the safety position when he signed as a free agent in the 2019 offseason.

With 2021 fifth-round picks Caden Sterns and Jamar Johnson in place, the Broncos might be willing to take a bit of a calculated risk at the safety position in 2022, moving Sterns into a starting role opposite Justin Simmons and moving Johnson into a top dime role moving forward.

Jackson can still play, though he suffered some injuries this year, showing his toughness by playing through them.

As valuable of a veteran presence as Jackson is, the Denver Broncos probably need to look a bit to the future here with an athletic freak like Caden Sterns already showing what he could do in limited reps this past season.

If the Broncos are able to hire Ejiro Evero as their defensive coordinator, he and Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker would undoubtedly have Sterns in place for a breakout season in 2022.

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