took a moment Sunday to reflect.
The Broncos’ inside linebacker of six seasons walked from the sideline toward the northeast tunnel at Mile High after the 23-9 loss to the Chargers. Marshall paced slowly, surrounded only by television cameras. He raised a right gloved fist into the night sky, possibly for the final time wearing orange and blue.
“It definitely was a little emotional,” Marshall told reporters in the postgame locker room. “Thatap all I’ve got to say.”
Several Denver veterans on expiring/expensive contracts, such as Marshall, understand their NFL careers in Denver are likely over after a 6-10 season and three consecutive years without a playoff berth. Big changes are coming.
Marshall, 29, won a with the Broncos and started 64 games with 423 tackles between 2013-’18. He signed a four-year extension with the team in 2016 and will have a cap hit of $9 million next season. However, the Broncos would save $5 million if they cut Marshall, who missed five games this season with a knee injury.
“When I first got here it was amazing seeing Peyton (Manning) put up all those numbers,” Marshall said. “Lately, we just haven’t been getting it done. So I expect changes. But itap been a good run here.”
The emergence of inside linebacker (team captain and 114 tackles) plus the addition of rookie Josey Jewell make the case for Marshall’s return in 2019 problematic. Marshall did leave the door open to come back should the right pieces fall into place.
“I’d welcome it, absolutely,” he said. “But itap up to (the Broncos’ front office). There would have to be some financials worked out and the situation would have to be perfect and good for me. Because I still feel like I’ve got a lot left. I’ve still got some in the tank. We’ll see who believes in me the most.”
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