While the Broncos attempt to regroup from an unexpected and disappointing start of the season, Bradlee Van Pelt is in idyllic Northern Michigan trying to resurrect his NFL career.
Van Pelt is at his father’s lake home, working out daily in hopes of catching on with a team. The Broncos cut Van Pelt on Sept. 2. He went unclaimed, although Houston and former Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak considered claiming him. Van Pelt has a workout scheduled in Seattle on Tuesday. Buffalo also has shown interest in a workout.
“I’m just trying to get better as much as I can and get back into the league,” the former Colorado State star and Broncos backup said. “The past couple of weeks have been tough, but it hasn’t been hard to be focused. There is a fine line between an NFL signal caller and a guy on the street. I just have to get back in the league.”
Van Pelt said he received inquiries from Canadian Football League teams but is not interested. He added he is willing to sign with a team and go to NFL Europe next year.
Van Pelt said he didn’t watch the Broncos’ 18-10 defeat at St. Louis on Sunday but heard about it.
“I don’t root for them and I don’t root against them,” Van Pelt said of the team that drafted him in the seventh round of the 2004 draft. He does hope for good things for his friends on the team, including quarterback Jake Plummer, who committed four turnovers in the loss to the Rams.
“I really wish the best for Jake, and I hate to see him have a rough day,” Van Pelt said. “He is a good quarterback, and I hate for that type of day to happen to him. But I don’t feel sorry for him, because at least he is getting the chance to go do what he loves, and that’s play football. It could be worse.”
