Phoenix – Broncos owner Pat Bowlen strolled the lush grounds of the Arizona Biltmore resort knowing one of the final pieces of his expensive offseason had been secured.
“Yes, we just signed Dré Bly,” Bowlen said Wednesday regarding the $33 million, five-year deal. “That was big. I feel very good about where we are.”
The extension for Bly averted what could have been a major distraction and finalized a key acquisition for the Broncos, teaming Bly with Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey in what could be one of the best defensive backfields in the NFL.
“We have two great cornerbacks now in Champ and Dré,” Bowlen said.
That was the Broncos’ plan when they traded running back Tatum Bell and offensive tackle George Foster – two players who were not going to be starters in Denver this year – to Detroit for Bly on March 2. However, Bly wanted to play for the Washington Redskins. Bly is from Virginia and had a potential extension worked out with the Redskins if a deal had been made with Washington – before he was traded to the Broncos.
Coach Mike Shanahan said Tuesday he understood Bly initially wanted to be with the Redskins, but Shanahan was hoping Bly would be happy in Denver. To help make that happen, Bly’s deal includes $16 million in guaranteed money.
Bly’s biggest concern was getting an extension because he had only one season remaining on his contract. Bly and his wife have four children, and Bly wasn’t interested in moving his family from Michigan to Denver for one year, then leaving as a free agent.
The talks warmed Wednesday morning as New Orleans and other teams continued to show interest in Bly’s future.
“Ted Sundquist and I displayed nothing but a positive outlook during the talks,” said Bly’s agent, Kennard McGuire. “I have maintained all along that no one has heard Dré publicly complain about his situation. I’d think this new deal would end all that talk.”
The arrival of Bly, who will be with his new teammates Monday as Denver begins its offseason conditioning program, is the Broncos’ most significant defensive move this offseason. They likely will address the defensive line in the early rounds of the April 28-29 draft. Most of Denver’s nine new additions are offensive players. Bly, acquired to fill the right cornerback hole left by the shooting death of Darrent Williams on Jan. 1, solidifies a strong secondary. Domonique Foxworth likely will be the nickel back.
“We’re very happy to have him,” Shanahan said of Bly. “He fits in great.”
In an offseason that has featured several complicated deals, the Broncos have only a couple issues left to resolve before focusing on the draft. The team likely will part ways with linebacker Al Wilson, either trading or releasing him soon. And the trade for defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson from Miami is expected to be voided Friday, barring a surprise arrival by Wilkinson to take a physical.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
