Report: Broncos Trade WR Emmanuel Sanders to San Francisco
The last remaining offensive starter from Super Bowl 50 has been traded by the Denver Broncos, according to a report by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Broncos traded disgruntled wideout Emmanuel Sanders and a 2020 fifth-round draft pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2020 third- and fourth-rounder.
The move comes on the heels of some drama being acted out in the court of public scrutiny, after Sanders publicly criticized the play-calling of offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello following the Broncos embarrassing Week 7 loss.
The Broncos didn't take kindly to Sanders' passive-aggression and with the playoffs being increasingly pushed out of reach and the player being in the final year of his contract, the front-office recognized the writing on the wall and dealt the two-time Pro Bowl wideout to a team that had coveted him for as many as three years.
Sanders leaves Denver with 404 receptions and 5,361 yards as a Bronco, which ranks him seventh and 10th, respectively, all-time with the team. Sanders joined the Broncos as a free-agent acquisition in 2014 and became a star catching passes from Peyton Manning.
Sanders helped the Broncos achieve greatness early on and has suffered through nearly four subsequent seasons of offensive ineptitude and sub-par QB play. At age 32, the Broncos weren't going to bring him back next year so getting what they could now ahead of the deadline was crucial.
Sanders would have eventually netted the Broncos a 2021 compensatory selection, depending on where he signed as a free-agent next spring. Now, Denver doesn't have to wait on a compensatory formula and can capitalize on Sanders' departure with two draft picks in the spring.
Happy trails, Emmanuel Sanders.
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