INDIANAPOLIS — Terrance Knighton knows he is not the Broncos’ top offseason priority. But five weeks removed from the team’s playoff exit, the defensive tackle continues to fight impatience. The sides are expected to begin talks this week, and Knighton will be ‘disappointed’ if the discussions lack substance.
“I have no idea what they will discuss, if anything. If the talks aren’t numbers right now, I’d be very disappointed because I have made it very clear where I want to be,” Knighton told The Denver Post on Thursday.
Knighton said last month that he would be willing to take less money to stay in Denver, where he is a fan favorite and a team leader. He is looking for a “fair offer” to prevent him from testing the open market in March. Knighton served as a team captain last season, and graded out as one of the league’s top run stuffers by Pro Football Focus. Teammates want Knighton back, believing he’s one of the keys to the defense realizing its potential.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak agreed that Knighton could fit well in new coordinator Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme. However, Phillips has made the defense work with a big nose guard (Ted Washington in Buffalo) and a smaller player who excelled at stunts (Earl Mitchell in Houston).
The Raiders, Browns and Lions, if they are unable to sign Ndamukong Suh, are potential suitors for Knighton. Raiders coach Jack Del Rio, as documented in this space, praised Knighton when I asked him on Tuesday.
“Obviously, we drafted him (in Jacksonville). We thought at that time he was a dancing bear type. A big powerful man who could stay on his feet. This game is about big powerful men so that guys that have the skill level can do their things,” Del Rio said. “This big powerful man played well in Jacksonville. We got back together and he played well in Denver. I appreciate that. I respect that. We have to have those kind of people in our trenches on the offensive and defensive line in order to play the kind of football we expect to play.”
