Report: Broncos Sign Ex-Commanders Tackling Machine LB
The Denver Broncos were staring at a big hole at inside linebacker, potentially, after letting five-year starter Josey Jewell depart in free agency. It seems Sean Payton had a plan, though.
The Broncos have signed former Washington Commanders linebacker Cody Barton to a one-year deal worth up to $3.5 million, according to 9NEWS' Mike Klis.
"Cody Barton got a one-year deal worth close to $3.5 million per source. Which is what he made last year with Washington," Klis reported on X Friday evening.
Barton entered the league as a Seattle Seahawks third-round draft pick back in 2019. Hailing from the University of Utah, it took him a few years to find his groove in Seattle, but he eventually became a starter in his fourth season.
Barton, 27, totaled 136 tackles (84 solo) that year (2022) to go along with four tackles for a loss, two sacks, and two interceptions. That performance in a contract year helped him notch a one-year deal (also worth $3.5M) with the Commanders.
The 6-foot-2, 237-pound linebacker produced for the Commanders, totaling 121 tackles (67 solo) in 13 starts last season. He also added an interception.
I got an up-close look at Barton when he was coming out of Utah at the NFL Combine back in 2019. While other linebackers in the class, like Devin White and Devin Bush, were garnering big media attention at the tier-one podiums, Barton sat alone off to the side at a small round table.
I approached him and struck up a conversation. The Park City, UT, native exuded quiet confidence and was very excited at the prospect of potentially being drafted by the Broncos. Mainly because, at the time, several former Utes had made the Mile High City their NFL home.
"It would be awesome, man," Barton told Mile High Huddle in February of 2019 (see video above). "Close to home. Plus, I heard it's beautiful there. I'm a mountain guy. I like the mountains."
Left tackle Garett Bolles and wide receiver Tim Patrick will be a pair of familiar faces in the Broncos locker room for Barton.
The Barton signing dove-tails with the messaging of Payton and Broncos GM George Paton at the Combine a few weeks back, relative to linebacker Drew Sanders. The Broncos' brain trust intimated that the team views Sanders' future as a rush linebacker more so than inside.
Barton gives the Broncos a solid starting option to pair with Alex Singleton while Vance Joseph and his staff ultimately decide what to do with Sanders. The Broncos also have Jonas Griffith under contract.
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