The Denver Broncos and general manager John Elway decided that they couldn’t lose one of their most productive players on offense and chose to match the Miami Dolphins four-year, $18 million contract offer for C.J. Anderson.
Anderson, who was signed by Denver as an undrafted free agent out of the University of California back in 2013, played a major role in the Broncos postseason run, as well as their victory in Super Bowl 50. He led all running backs with 234 rushing yards in the playoffs, 90 of those yards came in the Super Bowl alone, including scoring the touchdown that helped seal the game.
In three seasons with the Broncos, Anderson has 338 carries for 1,607 yards rushing (averaging 4.8 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns on the ground. He’s also caught 59 passes for 507 yards receiving, along with two touchdown receptions.
With Anderson’s production in the postseason and the $6 million he’s guaranteed next season, comes higher expectations—something John Elway eluded to Tuesday.
“We have high expectations with him,” Elway said. “He’s going to need to be the guy that leads when it comes to the running game. With the rise in pay also comes the rise in expectations. He understands that, and he’s ready to handle that.”
With Brock Osweiler signing with the Houston Texans (four-years, $72 million) and Peyton Manning retired, the Broncos went and acquired quarterback Mark Sanchez from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade earlier this month. Many believe Elway acquired Sanchez in the hopes of including him in a package to acquire another quarterback, Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers. Whether they’re able to acquire another signal caller or not, it appears that Anderson will have a bigger role than he has had in previous years.
“It’s business. It’s all business,” Anderson said. “I understand what the running back market is and how it works… But I’m excited to be here. Four years ago, this organization took a chance on an undrafted kid, and I looked at them in the eye and told them, ‘Hey man, you’re making the best decision.’ They’re still making a great decision. I’m just glad I get to continue my career here in blue and orange.”
