Broncos cornerback Essang Bassey’s first-hand experience that the NFL is a wacky business was revealed during the second half of last season.
He played against the Chargers … and for the Chargers.
He was waived by the Broncos … and re-claimed by the Broncos.
He moved out of his Denver area apartment … and moved back in.
“Same lease,” Bassey said at the Broncos’ organized team activity practice Monday. “I lived out of a hotel for two weeks (in Los Angeles) and moved back in.”
Back with the Broncos, Bassey is back in the crowded mix to secure the Nos. 4-6 cornerback spots behind Pat Surtain II, Ronald Darby and K’Waun Williams.
Bassey made the Broncos in 2020 as an undrafted free agent and played 168 defensive snaps in the first four games because of A.J. Bouye’s opening-week injury. After Bouye returned, Bassey was a special teams player, but returned to the defense in Week 9 at Atlanta, beginning a stretch in which he played 48, 43, 54, 26 and 28 snaps.
Bassey’s season ended in the end zone at Kansas City when he sustained a non-contact ACL injury.
Last year, Bassey was on the physically unable to perform list for the first nine games.
“I had some meniscus work done, too, so the beginning of my rehab was a little slower,” he said. “I don’t think it took longer than expected, I was just listening to my body throughout the process.”
Once Bassey was activated, the whirlwind began.
Nov. 14: Inactive against Philadelphia.
Nov. 28: Played 10 special teams snaps against the Chargers.
Dec. 5 and 12: Inactive against Kansas City and Detroit.
Dec. 18: Waived by the Broncos.
Dec. 20: Acquired by the Chargers, whose defensive coordinator, Renaldo Hill, was the Broncos’ defensive backs coach in 2020.
Dec. 26: Played 11 defensive snaps in the Chargers’ loss at Houston.
Jan. 2: Inactive in the win over the Broncos.
Jan. 8: Waived by the Chargers.
Jan. 12: Re-acquired by the Broncos.
“It was just a lot of emotions,” Bassey said. “I make the move to L.A. and I’m thinking I’m going to start over. And then I came (back) here. Just happy to be back.”
Bassey is working at the nickel spot.
“By the end of (last) year, I was back to 100% so I’m picking up where I left off and having a good offseason program and running around and playing football without a brace,” he said. “I think a lot of my skills (fit); I’m comfortable there.”
Footnotes. The Broncos wrapped up their first week of OTAs on Thursday and are scheduled for three sessions next week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday). … Running back Javonte Williams on having Melvin Gordon back: “It worked well last year and I feel like we’re going to do the same thing this year and everything will be good.” … Surtain said the first week of 11-on-11 work was beneficial and competitive. “We’re going at it for sure,” he said. “Offense vs. defense, good on good and iron sharpens iron. We’re making plays (on defense). The offense is making plays. Itap just good battles going on.”
