running back this week opened up about being released by the Broncos, saying he felt he did enough to remain in Denver, but was excited for his new opportunity.
“I wouldn’t say I didn’t see it coming,” Anderson told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I thought I did everything I could to keep my job over there. There was only two names in the offseason that was being looked to be shopped and that was myself and (Aqib) Talib. Denver, what they told me, is they did everything they could to try and trade me and things of that nature and it just didn’t work out.”
Anderson this week signed a one-year deal to join the Panthers, the team he helped defeat in Super Bowl 50. The 5-foot-8, 224-pound Anderson was coming off his most complete NFL season, one during which he rushed for 1,007 yards on 245 carries — both career highs. Anderson added 224 receiving yards on 28 catches. The Broncos cut him in mid-April, a month after NFL free agency opened.
“The timing of it sucks, but I’ve been in this position before,” Anderson said. “I’m a grinder and I’ve got an opportunity with the Panthers to do something special with this team and this organization for a year.”
In his five-year Broncos career, Anderson rushed for 3,051 yards on 693 carries (4.4 yards per attempt), and 20 touchdowns. He also had 859 yards receiving on 103 receptions and four touchdowns. And despite the fact that the Broncos saved $4.5 million in cap space by releasing the running back, Anderson was still left scratching his head.
“There’s always a ‘why?’” Anderson said. “I felt like for five seasons, coming in undrafted, beating out a second round pick and things of that nature. I’ve done some things, given it a , a , given that organization some light on myself and my game. We know what type of game it is and they’re always trying to replace you every day, in and out.”
Anderson said he did feel respected by the Broncos, since he said he was informed they were trying to trade him.
“It would’ve been great to been released during free agency, but it didn’t happen,” Anderson said. “But everything happens for a reason and I have a great opportunity in Carolina now.”
Anderson said he joined the Panthers because he felt it was a good fit for his running style and thinks offensive coordinator Norv Turner will make sure he gets plenty of opportunities to make an impact, alongside former Valor Christian star Christian McCaffrrey.
“They just told me straight up, ‘You’re going to fit in well,'” Anderson said. “You can kind of tell your role when you pick the team. Don’t get me wrong, we know McCaffrey was just the eighth pick a year ago, there’s going to be some things they’re going to have him do.
“There’s one thing thatap going to hold true, me and Christian are going to play at the same time. He’s going to get touches, just like I’m going to get touches. Itap not like I came into the situation and said, ‘Hey, I’m going to be the bell cow, I’m going to be here.’ You know what situation you’re getting into.”
Anderson said he looks forward to playing alongside quarterback and is happy to enter a season knowing who the starting quarterback is, so that he can focus on his primary objective.
“The goal at the end of the day is to win a championship and this is a team thatap close,” Anderson said. “Hopefully I’m the missing piece that can put them over.”
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