On the same day that the New York Jets announced the retirement of their decade-long left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, they also found his expected replacement.
The Denver Broncos reportedly have sent former Pro Bowl left tackle Ryan Clady to the Jets in an exchange of draft picks. The Broncos will get the Jets' fifth-round pick (No. 157 overall), and the Jets will get back one of the Broncos' three seventh-round picks (they own Nos. 228, 235 and 253 overall) according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
 | @AdamSchefter | |
Denver has agreed to trade four-time Pro-Bowl OT Ryan Clady and a 7th-round pick to the Jets for a 5th-round pick, league sources told ESPN.
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Clady, who turns 30 right before the start of the season, once was considered a fixture for the team's future. The Broncos paid him a $52.5 million contract three years ago that included $33 million guaranteed over these past three years. But he has played in only 18 of the team's 55 games, including missing both of the team's Super Bowls the past three seasons.
The Jets clearly believe Clady has a chance to step right in for Ferguson despite suffering a torn ACL last May and missing the entire season. Clady, who has two years and $19.5 million left on his current deal, is expected to sign a new contract with the Jets, who now have $10 million in cap space following Ferguson's retirement. They also are expected to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Trading Clady also could grease the wheels for starting up Colin Kaepernick talks again. The Broncos spoke with the San Francisco 49ers quarterback but couldn't consummate a trade because Broncos GM John Elway asked Kaepernick to take almost $5 million less to join the Super Bowl champs. He balked and talks died off; now the Broncos have cleared $9 million in cap space.
Clady was put on the trade block after he refused to accept a pay cut and the Broncos added tackles Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson.
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