Two more Broncos are officially locked up for 2017. Broncos running back and receiver signed their exclusive rights tenders Thursday.
Bibbs and Fowler both will play on their one-year, $615,000 contract. These signings are little more than a formality because players can only sign with the team that tendered them.
Center Matt Paradis, wide receiver and long snapper . Three players — outside linebacker , inside linebacker and center — still have to sign their tenders.
Phase one of the Broncos’ offseason program begins Monday.
Bibbs finally broke through the practice squad barrier, making the 53-man roster out of camp in his third attempt. He held the third running back role for much of the season, but was pressed into more significant action toward the middle of the season when went on injured reserve.
Bibbs had 129 yards on 29 carries and added 75 yards receiving and a touchdown on two receptions. His year ended in Week 14 when he was placed on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain.
Fowler, another former practice squad player, made the Broncos roster for the second consecutive season in 2016, filling the role of special teams regular. He also competed for reps at receiver behind , and .
Fowler finished the season with 11 catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
The Broncos also placed second-round tenders on linebacker and kicker last month. Both players are expected to return to Denver under the one-year, $2.746 million tender or a long-term deal if it can be worked out.
Other teams can sign Davis and McManus to an offer sheet up until April 21, but the Broncos would have an opportunity to match and the acquiring team would forfeit a second-round pick if they didn’t.
