Darian Stewart was close to becoming a Denver Bronco six years ago, when, as a defensive back out of South Carolina, he went undrafted and was mulling his options as a free agent.
“I got a call from my man Kenny McKinley — God rest his soul — trying to get me out here,” Stewart said. “That was the last time I talked to my man. I still think about him to this day, just being out here. But I definitely considered it then.”
Stewart was teammates with McKinley at the University of South Carolina. McKinley, a wide receiver, was drafted by Denver in the fifth round in 2009 and played eight games for the team before landing on injured reserve with a knee injury. In September 2010, McKinley was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
That year, Stewart chose to sign with the Rams, with whom he spent the first four seasons of his career. On Saturday, Stewart signed a with the Broncos to remain a part of their “No Fly Zone” secondary.
“We got guys that are extended for some years,” Stewart said. “That camaraderie, it makes us better as a team. We trust one another. I love those boys like my brother. I’m happy to be able to play with them for another four years.”
To many, the new deal came as a surprise after it appeared Stewart might have priced himself out of Denver with his impressive play, at New Orleans especially. He said talks on a new deal began “a week or two before” that game, and acknowledged his two interceptions and fumble recovery in the Week 10 victory may have helped his case.
Sure, he might have received more on the open market. But Denver is where he wanted to be.
“Any chance I can take care of my family for the long haul, I’ll take it,” said Stewart, whose wife, Whitley, and young daughter, Hayden, were in attendance for his news conference. “That’s another reason I made this deal. My baby girl was born here.
“It’s not always about the money. I love winning. I love everything we have in the organization, from the coaching staff, to the strength coaches, all the way down to the video guys. We got a good group of men here, and I love being around them. I love coming into work with them every week.”
