2 of the Broncos' 3 opt-outs from 2020 have been cut

When NFL players opted out of the 2020 season with COVID-19 concerns, they knew nothing would be guaranteed in 2021.

Last year, Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James and defensive linemen Kyle Peko and Joel Heath opted out. Peko earned $350,000 as a “higher risk” opt-out. James earned $150,000 as a voluntary opt-out. It’s unclear if Heath was a higher risk or a voluntary opt-out.

Broncos general manager George Paton has already cut Peko and Heath this offseason. Heath quickly landed on his feet with the Detroit Lions but Peko remains a free agent.

Peko and Heath would have been longshots to make the roster last summer, and they might have taken that into consideration when they opted out. Heath was actually cut before he opted out but was later reinstated to the Broncos’ roster on the Reserve/Opt-Out list.

James is the only remaining 2020 opt-out still on Denver’s roster. Financially, it makes more sense to keep James than cut him (he would have a $13 million cap hit on the roster and a $19 million “dead money” cap hit if cut), so his roster spot is probably safe.