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Just Hours After the Dallas Cowboys Release — Denver Broncos Willingly Spend $472K to Acquire a Recently Released Pro Bowl CB, Plus a $58,823 Bonus to Get Him on the Field Immediately in Week 18 Ahead of the Playoffs

The message from Denver is unmistakable: this is not a team waiting around to see how January unfolds.

Just hours after the Dallas Cowboys made the stunning decision to release Trevon Diggs, the Denver Broncos moved decisively — signaling a willingness to pay immediately for impact as the postseason approaches.

According to league sources, Denver is prepared to absorb $472,000 in base salary for Week 18, along with an additional $58,823 active bonus, ensuring the Pro Bowl cornerback can suit up right away before the playoffs begin. In total, that’s more than half a million dollars committed for immediate availability — a clear indicator of urgency, not excess.

This is not a luxury move.
This is a playoff move.

As January draws closer, the Broncos understand how thin the margins become. Postseason games are decided by coverage leverage, by trust on the perimeter, by one late throw that needs to be contested — or taken away. Diggs brings exactly that kind of influence: elite ball skills, fearless confidence, and the ability to line up against a No. 1 receiver and change the geometry of an offense.

While the Cowboys’ decision to move on sent shockwaves across the league, contenders quickly recognized opportunity. For Denver, the cost isn’t viewed as a gamble — it’s a calculated investment. When weighed against the potential value of stabilizing coverage in a high-stakes playoff game, the financial commitment becomes secondary.

From a schematic perspective, Diggs’ presence would immediately expand Denver’s defensive menu. His arrival allows the Broncos to be more aggressive up front, disguise coverages on the back end, and dictate matchups instead of reacting to them. He doesn’t simply fill a spot — he reshapes the structure of the defense.

Equally important is the psychological impact. By acting quickly and decisively, Denver sends a clear message to the locker room: this organization believes the window is open right now. There is no waiting. No hedging. No deferring the moment.

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Diggs, for his part, appears ready for the stage. Those close to the situation say Denver has long appealed to him as a destination defined by pride, accountability, and championship ambition. In his first message directed toward Broncos fans, Diggs made his intentions unmistakable:

“I’ve been waiting a long time for this opportunity, to wear Denver’s colors and play meaningful football when everything is on the line; I’m not coming here to ease in, I’m coming here to compete, to raise the standard, and to help this team finish what it’s chasing.”

For Denver, Week 18 is not an afterthought — it’s a runway. Getting Diggs on the field immediately allows him to communicate, adjust, and build chemistry before the games truly matter. Every snap now is preparation for January.

The Broncos are no longer operating like a team hoping to make noise.

They’re operating like a team intent on finishing the job.

And if the Pro Bowl cornerback delivers even one defining moment — a pass breakup, an interception, a momentum-swinging stop — the price tag of $472,000 plus a $58,823 bonus will be remembered not as a cost, but as the moment Denver decided to leave nothing on the table in its pursuit of a Super Bowl.

Veteran Lions Player Explains Massive Contract Demand After Explosive Season, Leaving Detroit Front Office with a Tough Choice
Al-Quadin Muhammad Explains Massive Contract Demand, Leaving Lions Front Office with Tough Choice Detroit, Michigan – January 27, 2026 – Al-Quadin Muhammad, the standout EDGE rusher for the Detroit Lions, has put the team’s front office in a tough spot after an explosive 2025 season. After joining the Lions on a one-year, veteran minimum deal (~$1.2M), Muhammad’s breakout year has led him to demand a substantial contract extension, potentially shaking up the Lions' salary cap plans for the future. In 2025, Muhammad played in all 17 games, recording a career-high 11 sacks, which ranked in the top 10 across the NFL. With 25 tackles (15 solo), 9 tackles for loss, and 20 quarterback hits, Muhammad quickly proved his worth. Despite playing only 40% of defensive snaps, he still posted 59 pressures (according to Next Gen Stats), playing a key role in the Lions’ top-10 sack ranking, even when star rusher Aidan Hutchinson was sidelined with a minor injury mid-season. Muhammad’s strong performance has raised his value significantly, and sources indicate that his camp is seeking a 3-year contract worth $30-40 million, with an average annual salary (APY) between $10-13 million. For a player who joined Detroit as a rotational piece, his performance has far exceeded expectations, leading to his hefty contract demands. “I’ve put in the work and I believe I’ve earned it,” Muhammad said in a recent interview. “This past season has been a testament to what I can bring to the table. I know my worth, and I’m looking for a deal that reflects that.” Muhammad’s confidence in his performance has fueled his desire for a contract that mirrors his impact on the field. For the Lions’ front office, the timing couldn’t be tougher. With the salary cap already tight, the team faces difficult decisions on how to allocate funds for future contracts. The Lions are in the midst of a rebuild, and while they’ve developed a promising young defensive core, locking in Muhammad for the long term could force sacrifices elsewhere. The dilemma is clear: while Muhammad’s breakout season makes him deserving of a lucrative deal, the Lions must carefully consider their cap flexibility moving forward. With other key players like Aidan Hutchinson and young talent on the roster, the front office has to weigh the value of locking in Muhammad at a high price versus potentially letting him test the free-agent market. “Everyone knows how important he was to our defense this year,” said one source close to the team. “But with limited cap space, it’s going to be a challenge to give him what he wants without hurting the overall roster.” As the offseason approaches, Muhammad’s future remains uncertain, and the Lions’ front office is faced with a tough decision: offer the deal he’s asking for or risk losing a key piece of their defense. The next few months will determine if the Lions can keep Muhammad or if the defensive standout will move on to another team willing to meet his contract demands.