The Denver Broncos made a surprising decision on Wednesday to release cornerback A. J. Bouye. The move comes just a year after the team traded a fourth-round pick to get the player from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Broncos confirmed the news on their social media.
Denver acquired Bouye last March, hoping that the Pro Bowler could provide them with a reliable option in the secondary. But the 27-year-old player was anything but reliable, as he missed a total of nine games in 2020.
Bouye suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1 that kept him on the sidelines for four weeks and had to sit out one more game after that while in concussion protocol. He then earned a suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy and missed the final four games of the season as a result.
While on the field, Bouye was inconsistent, managing 23 tackles but failing to get a single interception for the first time in his pro career.
The Broncos’ decision was probably also motivated by financial reasons. By releasing him, the team will save around $11.7 million in the salary cap.
