Sean Payton Cracks Door for Return of OLB Jake Martin
More than a few eyebrows were raised on May 10 when the Denver Broncos cut veteran outside linebacker Jake Martin — be it the timing or the transaction itself.
But, in explaining the roster math behind the move, head coach Sean Payton hinted that Broncos Country may not have seen the last of Martin.
“Things are in flux," Payton said during rookie minicamp. "We’re in that process where some of these guys may come back. It’s the hard thing when you’re trying to manage the numbers. If you sign an undrafted free agent to a contract, he counts towards your number. There might be a couple players that all of the sudden may be coming back to us in a week. I don’t want to go any further than that. It varies with each player, and I know Jake was one of them."
A sixth-year pro, Martin was acquired from the Jets last November for a 2024 fourth-round pick; Denver also got back a 2024 fifth-rounder. He appeared in five games, registering four solo tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack, before landing on injured reserve and undergoing surgery to resolve a patellar tendon issue.
The release of Martin — which Payton wouldn't admit — was financially driven as it saved the Broncos roughly $3.8 million against the salary cap, leaving behind only $1 million in dead money. It was speculated that he could return on a reduced contract.
Such remains a possibility.
And should it become a reality, Martin, 27, would revert to his depth role behind starting OLBs Randy Gregory and Baron Browning.
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