Denver Broncos

A DUI charge brought against Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon related to an October arrest was dropped Wednesday.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Denver County Court Judge Olympia Fay entered the order, which was attributed to "evidentiary concerns."

Gordon pleaded guilty to reckless driving for excessive speeding, per Mike Klis of KUSA:

The 27-year-old Wisconsin native was arrested Oct. 13 after officers from the Denver Police Department clocked him going 71 mph in a 35 mph zone. The police report stated he failed field sobriety tests.

Gordon was held out of one practice by Broncos head coach Vic Fangio following the arrest, but he returned to the team for the remainder of the 2020 season.

"Because of the legal things, I haven't been able to publicly say what I needed to say, but to put it out [there], I am sorry I was even in the situation," he told reporters Oct. 28. "I don't want people to feel like, 'Because Melvin didn't say anything or didn't speak out, he's not apologetic about the situation.' That's not the case at all."

The two-time Pro Bowl selection, who signed with the Broncos in March 2020 after five years with the Los Angeles Chargers, said he called general manager John Elway along with members of the coaching staff and some of his teammates following the arrest.

"Obviously, I try my best to walk a straight line and lead by example," Gordon said. "I'm a little upset I even put myself in this situation. I had a hard time just dealing with it myself—never been in trouble before."

He finished 10th in the NFL with 986 rushing yards on 215 carries (4.6 YPC) with 10 total touchdowns in 15 games during the 2020 campaign.

Gordon remains under contract for 2021 as part of a two-year, $16 million deal with Denver.

He could still face discipline from the NFL in relation to the incident even though the DUI charge was dropped.

Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick might be hanging up his cleats.

According to NFL writer John Clayton, it "looks like [Fitzpatrick's] going to retire." Clayton added that the Denver Broncos had made contact with the free-agent quarterback this offseason but "it looks like he's going to be out of the mix."

Fitzpatrick, 38, had a whirlwind of a 2020 season. He started the first six games of the year for the Miami Dolphins before that gig was given to rookie Tua Tagovailoa. But Fitzpatrick made a relief appearance and another start for the Dolphins down the stretch before a positive COVID-19 test ahead of Week 17 ended his season. 

In total, Fitzpatrick finished with 2,091 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions, completing 68.5 percent of his passes while taking 14 sacks. The Dolphins went 4-3 in his starts and 10-6 overall. 

With the Dolphins holding the option of either turning the reins over to Tagovailoa or making a huge trade for a player like Deshaun Watson, it appears his time in Miami has come to an end. 

The Dolphins were Fitzpatrick's eighth NFL franchise in his career, spanning the St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His best season came in 2015 with the New York Jets, when he made 16 starts and threw for 3,905 yards, 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, leading New York to a 10-6 mark.  

As for the Broncos, the organization is going to bring in competition for young quarterback Drew Lock. New general manager George Paton said as much last week.

"[He's] very talented, was inconsistent at times, has a lot to work on," Paton told reporters regarding Lock. "But I've spoken with Drew, I see him every day, he's here early, he's working. He really wants to be great. We're always going to try to bring in competition at every position, and quarterback as well, but I like the track that Drew's on."

Head coach Vic Fangio concurred. 

"Obviously we're always looking to bring in players at all positions that can raise the level of competition, and the quarterback is no different in that regard," he said. "Until we get or until Drew proves to be the next great quarterback ... we're going to always try and bring in competition. But I have confidence that Drew can continue to improve."

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller won't face charges stemming from an ongoing police investigation, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero shared a statement about the decision from the district attorney's office:

This comes after Kieran Nicholson of the Denver Post reported on Feb. 23 that the Parker Police Department turned over its investigation to the Douglas County District Attorney's office.

Mike Klis and Kevin Vaughan of 9News reported on Jan. 15 that Miller was under criminal investigation. 

"We're not commenting on nature of the allegations," a Parker Police spokesperson told Klis and Vaughan. "We haven't completed the investigation."

Per ESPN's Jeff Legwold, the investigation would be turned over to the District Attorney's office if it was determined "a crime has occurred."

The Broncos issued a statement about the situation, via Legwold: "We are aware of an investigation involving Von Miller and are in the process of gathering more information."

Miller missed the entire 2020 season after suffering a dislocated peroneal tendon during practice on Sept. 8, six days before Denver's regular-season opener. The 31-year-old has a $17.5 million team option on his contract that the Broncos have until March 16 to pick up.

First a Pro Bowl appearance and now the franchise tag. 

That is the path that safety Justin Simmons took in 2020 and now 2021, as the Broncos are reportedly placing the franchise tag on Simmons of the second consecutive offseason, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport added that Simmons and the Broncos will continue discussing a long-term deal as well.

The 27-year-old entered the league as a third-round pick for the Broncos in 2016 and was a solid playmaker during his first two years. However, he took a leap in his third season and posted 97 tackles and three interceptions before following with 93 tackles and four interceptions in 2019.

That 2019 effort was good enough for a sparkling grade of 90.7 from Pro Football Focus, but his future in Denver was under the spotlight the following offseason.

The Broncos placed the franchise tag on him in March 2020, but then-general manager John Elway said in a statement: "We remain focused on reaching a long-term contract agreement with Justin, and he's a big priority for us. This is a placeholder in that process and our goal is the same—to make sure that Justin is a Bronco for a long time."

However, the deadline passed in July without a long-term deal, meaning Simmons played the 2020 campaign under the tag.

"If they wanted, they could've gotten it done," he said at the time on NFL Network's Good Morning Football. "Year 2 in Vic's system. I'm more than confident in my ability."

Simmons also addressed reaction to those comments on Twitter:

All he did under the franchise tag is make his first career Pro Bowl with 96 tackles, one fumble recovery and career-best five interceptions.

The Broncos surely hope that production continues following this deal, and there is little reason to think it won't. Simmons is versatile enough to help stop the run while remaining a force over the middle of the field and ballhawk against the pass. He is also in the middle of his prime and played all 16 games in each of the last three seasons.

About the only thing missing from his resume at this point is a playoff appearance, and he will look to change that on the only NFL team he has ever known.

Amid speculation about Von Miller's future with the organization, the Denver Broncos are hoping to bring the eight-time Pro Bowler back in 2021.

General manager George Paton told reporters on Thursday that the Broncos "want to bring Von back."

The outside linebacker has spent his entire career in Denver since being selected No. 2 overall in the 2011 draft. The Texas A&M product missed all of last season after dislocating his peroneal tendon during practice on Sept. 8. 

The Broncos do hold a $17.5 million option for next season on Miller's current contract that has to exercised by the start of the new league year on March 17, but ESPN's Dan Graziano reported last month the team likely wouldn't be willing to bring him back at that price tag.

Denver has made moves this offseason that suggest it could be plotting to be a major player in free agency and in the trade market. The team is currently projected to have $42.35 million in cap space, fifth-most in the NFL. 

Miller is the Broncos' all-time leader in quarterback hits (216), tackles for loss (135), sacks (106) and forced fumbles (26). He's one of 10 defensive players to be named Super Bowl MVP after helping Denver beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50 five years ago. 

After playing last season on the franchise tag, Justin Simmons is hoping to secure a long-term deal this offseason. 

During a SiriusXM NFL Radio appearance Wednesday, Simmons said it "seems like" the Denver Broncos want him back based on everything he's heard (starts at :35 mark): 

Simmons did note he "hasn't spoken to anyone in depth" about Denver's plans since George Paton took over as general manager in January. 

It's unclear at this point if the Broncos will work out a multiyear agreement with Simmons before free agency begins on March 17.

NFL Network's James Palmer reported last month that the 2020 Pro Bowler is expected to receive the franchise tag for the second straight year if the two sides can't reach a deal before the March 9 tag deadline. 

A second straight franchise tag for Simmons would cost the Broncos $13.7 million in 2021. They selected the Boston College product with a third-round pick in 2016, and he has started all 16 games in each of the past three seasons. 

Simmons led the Broncos with nine pass breakups and ranked third with 96 combined tackles during the 2020 season. 

Amid rumors that the Denver Broncos might attempt to make a play for Deshaun Watson, opposing teams are reportedly showing interest in trading for Drew Lock.

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported "teams have called" the Broncos about Lock "because the potential is there" (starts at 1:10 mark):

Rapoport did note the Broncos "haven’t come close to trading him" and there's no indication they are going to. 

Denver has been spending its offseason clearing money off its books for 2021. The team released defensive tackle Jurrell Casey on Thursday, two weeks after cutting cornerback A.J. Bouye. Those moves have given the front office an estimated $42.35 million in cap space prior to the start of free agency, per Over the Cap.

John Clayton of 104.3 The Fan reported this week the Broncos have a "good chance" to at least present a good offer for Watson if the Texans get to the point where they want to start taking calls on their franchise quarterback. 

Lock was Denver's second-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He began his rookie season playing behind Joe Flacco, but showed promise after taking over as the starter in Week 12. The Missouri alum threw for 1,020 yards with seven touchdowns and helped the Broncos go 4-1 in his five starts. 

Last season was a step back for Lock. His 15 interceptions were tied with Carson Wentz for most in the NFL and he finished last among 35 qualified quarterbacks with a 57.3 completion percentage. 

The Broncos finished last in the AFC West with a 5-11 record. 

The Denver Broncos have made another move to clear cap space by releasing defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Ryan O'Halloran of the Denver Post added the Broncos will save $11.87 million against the 2021 cap. 

The move comes two weeks after the Broncos released veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye to save $11.7 million against the salary cap. 

Denver projects to have around $48 million in cap space once Casey's release becomes official, per Spotrac. That number could go even higher if the team declines Von Miller's $22.25 million option for next season by the March 16 deadline.

Mike Klis of 9News reported on Feb. 17 that the Broncos haven't made any decisions about Miller's contract. 

The Broncos have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Deshaun Watson if the Houston Texans decide to trade their star quarterback. 

Casey was traded to Denver last offseason after spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. The 31-year-old was named to the Pro Bowl five consecutive years from 2015-19. 

A torn biceps limited Casey to just three games with the Broncos in 2020. He had 14 combined tackles and two quarterback hits prior to suffering the injury in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

The Denver District Court granted a continuation of the scheduled disposition hearing in the DUI case of Broncos running back Melvin Gordon on Wednesday. 

Per Mike Klis of 9News, the rescheduled hearing will take place March 10. Disposition hearings are usually held in order for the two sides to try to come to an agreement on a plea deal to avoid going to trial.

"Some new information has come up that is the subject of discussion between the parties," Gordon's attorney, Robert Malen, said when requesting the continuation in a virtual hearing Wednesday, per Klis.

Gordon was arrested on DUI and speeding charges in October. He was pulled over after allegedly being clocked going 71 mph in a 35 mph zone.

If Gordon is found guilty of driving under the influence, he would be subject to an automatic three-game suspension under the NFL's substance-abuse policy. The Broncos would also be able to void the $4.5 million that is guaranteed from his 2021 salary.

Pleading to a lesser charge may help Gordon avoid punishment from the NFL and retain his guaranteed money.

Gordon pleaded not guilty to the charges in January. A jury trial is currently set to begin April 8. 

The criminal investigation into Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has been turned over to a Colorado district attorney for review. 

Per Mike Klis of 9News, the Parker Police Department turned over the findings of its investigation to the 18th Judicial District District Attorney. 

"A charging decision has not been made," district attorney spokeswoman Vikii Migoya told Klis. "There is no filed case."

Klis and Kevin Vaughan reported last month the Parker Police Department had opened a criminal investigation into Miller. No details about the nature of the investigation have been made available at this point. 

Josh Hans, Parker Police spokesman, told Klis and Vaughan that they had no comment on the investigation because it wasn't complete. 

Depending on the nature of the investigation and potential findings, Miller could be subject to discipline from the NFL under the personal conduct policy. The eight-time Pro Bowler has a team option worth $17.5 million on his contract for 2021. 

Miller has spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Broncos after being drafted No. 2 overall in 2011. The 31-year-old sat out all last season after dislocating his peroneal tendon during a September practice.