The Denver Broncos and defensive end Randy Gregory have agreed on a $70 million, five-year contract that will prevent the Dallas Cowboys from keeping one of their top targets in free agency, a person with knowledge of the deal said Tuesday.
Gregory’s contract includes $28 million guaranteed. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be announced until Wednesday when the NFL’s business year begins.
The 29-year-old Gregory has had a suspension-filled seven years in the NFL but was coming off a productive and drama-free season. The Cowboys hoped the goodwill built in by standing by a troubled player would lead to a return.
Gregory chose the Broncos instead.
The addition of Gregory comes after Denver traded Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season. The Broncos sent 2021 sacks leader Shelby Harris to Seattle in the trade that landed quarterback Russell Wilson.
Harris and Gregory both had six sacks last season. Gregory matched his previous career high from 2018.
Dallas took a chance on Gregory in the second round of the 2015 draft after the former Nebraska standout tested positive for marijuana at the NFL combine. The first of Gregory’s four substance-abuse suspensions came after his rookie year. He returned from an indefinite suspension in 2020 after sitting out all of the 2019 season.
The Broncos entered the offseason needing help on the defensive line, and the need grew with the trade of Harris. Miller hinted at pining for a return to Denver on social media after winning a Super Bowl with the Rams. Miller was the Super Bowl MVP when the Broncos beat Carolina to finish the 2015 season.
Dallas is bringing back top defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence on a new contract that lowers his salary cap impact. The Cowboys figured they would use some of the cap savings on Gregory. Instead, they might have to consider other veterans. Help could come early in the draft as well.
The Broncos announced Tuesday they had agreed to terms with inside linebacker Josey Jewell on a two-year contract. General manager George Paton said at the NFL scouting combine two weeks ago that Jewell was fully recovered from a torn pectoral that ended his season in Week 2 last year.
Jewell started all 16 games in 2020, when he posted a career-best 113 tackles.
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AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed.
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