The Denver Broncos pulled a time-honored NFL trick this week — leak that you’re releasing a player and hope that a trade market develops.
Randy Gregory appeared to be headed toward the free agent market earlier this week, but the San Francisco 49ers decided to make an offer. The 49ers will acquire Gregory and a 2024 seventh-round pick from the Broncos in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick, as NFL Network reported.
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Broncos Trade EDGE Randy Gregory to 49ers
Denver became the second AFC West to find a trade partner for a failed 2022 free agent signing this week. The Los Angeles Chargers sent cornerback J.C. Jackson back to the New England Patriots in a similar pick-swap trade involving late-round 2025 selections.
Gregory’s run with the Broncos might not have been as disastrous as Jackson’s stint with the Chargers, but it was anything but successful. Denver ended up paying him roughly $28 million for 10 games, 341 defensive snaps, and three sacks.
Plot twist! The #Broncos are trading veteran OLB Randy Gregory to the #49ers, per sources.
Denver never formally released Gregory, who now gets a fresh start with a contender in San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/cswa2oKRIM
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 6, 2023
Since Denver nearly cut Gregory outright, it didn’t have any leverage to convince San Francisco to take on much of the $10.89 million remaining on his contract.
MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart
In fact, the 49ers will pay Gregory just a prorated portion of the league minimum salary, which will amount to $840,000, according to Mike Klis of 9News.
Why Did the 49ers Trade for Gregory?
In recent years, San Francisco’s defensive line formula has been highlighted by dominant play from reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa and a never-ending wave of supplementary pass rushers.
Former second-round Drake Jackson has managed 11 pressures on 118 pass-rushing snaps this year. Still, the 49ers don’t have the DL depth they once boasted after allowing Samson Ebukam and Charles Omenihu to depart via free agency over the offseason.
OLB Nik Bonitto said he talked Randy Gregory after he learned he'd no longer be with the #Broncos. "He's in good sprits. He's a guy who knows his capabilities and hopefully a team will pick up." Bonitto said Gregory told him to "keep continuing to get better and stuff like that."
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) October 6, 2023
San Francisco defensive line coach Kris Kocurek helped morph Ebukam and Omenihu into pass rushers capable of landing significant free agent deals. He previously did the same with Arden Key and Kerry Hyder and is currently attempting to pull the same trick with Clelin Ferrell.
Injuries and off-field issues have beset Gregory’s NFL career, but he’s been effective when on the field. He put up 43 pressures and six sacks on only 308 pass-rushing snaps during the 2021 campaign.
Assuming he’s healthy (and he should be, given that he’s already passed a physical to complete today’s trade), Gregory should give the 49ers another threat up front.