Despite Big Build-Up, Broncos Don't Trade For Allen At Deadline

By Rich Kurtzman

With John Elway at the helm, anything seems possible when it comes to personnel.

The NFL's trade deadline came and went today at 2:00 p.m. MT without the Denver Broncos making a blockbuster deal. Though, there was much buildup and excitement in the hours leading up to that deadline.

Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions tries to outrun the tackle of Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings (Credit, Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Rumors started flying when the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Broncos were all said to be interested in trading for five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen, with Seattle the early front-runners. But complications arose because the Seahawks only have around $2 million in salary cap room and Allen makes nearly $7 million per season.

So Seattle dropped out of the running, and Denver jumped in.

Multiple sources, including CBS4's Vic Lombardi reported on Twitter:

While many more local and national media members weighed in on the possible trade, the rumors finally died when both Adam Schefter and Mike Klis of ESPN said the Broncos were out of the talks with around half an hour before the deadline.

Elway, the Broncos Vice President of Football Operations, has landed multiple big-time free agents in Peyton Manning and Wes Welker the last two offseasons, partly giving rise to the possibility of Denver trading for the star, Allen. Also, with $6.7 million of cap space, the Broncos were one of a handful of teams that could pay Allen close to what he wants. The Seahawks could merely offer him less than one-third that much.

Lombardi also tweeted:

So, Denver wasn't willing to spend all their remaining money on the 10-year veteran, especially when they have multiple other qualified players at the position.

Pass-rushing specialist Elvis Dumervil left the team in March, seemingly leaving a void on that end of the line, but that void was filled by many players. Veteran Shaun Phillips has 6.5 sacks, Robert Ayers has 4.5, Malik Jackson has recorded 3.5 and Derek Wolfe has two of his own. To put it in perspective, those four players are paid just over $5.1 million this season and have racked up 16.5 sacks compared to Allen's 4.5 on the year.

So, while it added some excitement to an otherwise bland Tuesday afternoon, the Broncos have decided to stay put with the team they've assembled. It's not a poor choice as Denver is still one of the most talented in the league, at nearly every position.

Allen wouldn't have necessarily made them even more likely Super Bowl players; the Broncos remain championship contenders without him.

For more Broncos news and updates, visit Broncos Central.

Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Rich is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.