The Denver Broncos aren't going to let all of their tight ends get out the door.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Virgil Green will remain with the Broncos, according to a source involved in the process.
ESPN's Jeff Legwold first reported the development. According to Legwold, Green signed a three-year deal that averages $2.5 million per season.
"Virgil has been a big part of our team the last four years and will continue to be in the future," Broncos general manager Elway said, according to the team site. "He's been a reliable, solid contributor since the day he was drafted. We're very excited Virgil is returning to the Broncos."
The move to lock up Green comes one day after Rapoport reported that tight end Julius Thomas will leave the Broncos to sign a rich free-agent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Green would have been a red-hot property on the open market: According to The Denver Post, 13 teams had expressed interest in Green, with six to eight of them considered to be serious about signing the fourth-year pro.
But the Broncos did the necessary work to keep Green, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound target who excels as a blocker but possesses the athleticism to develop as a pass-catcher in a Peyton Manning offense.
Green is a snug fit in Denver's new zone-blocking scheme with some serious upside potential as a receiver. Somebody has to make up for all those targets once claimed by Julius Thomas, right?
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