Despite agreeing to reduced salary, Dumervil is released by Broncos.
Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil has been released despite agreeing to a reduced salary, after the paperwork for the new contract wasn’t filed in time.
Dumervil was set to sign on new terms which would see him make $8m instead of $12m, however the two parties failed to submit the relevant documents ahead of the NFL deadline.
Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway later released a statement via NFL.com detailing the reasons behind the mix-up.
Elway explained that Dumervil had initially decided to reject their new offer, before changing his mind and accepting the new terms.
However, Denver failed to receive the signed documents from the player and his representatives before the league’s deadline, thus leading them being forced to release him.
Elway went on to suggest that they are not ruling out the possibility of re-signing the 29-year-old, but would explore all their free-agency options before deciding what is the best next step for the Broncos.
Dumervil’s agent had a different take on matters though, suggesting that the franchise’s front office failed to give them enough time to review and accept the new deal.
Marty Magid told NFL.com: “We had to review the language, print it, fax it to my client who was waiting by the machine and fax it back. I told him to fax it right to the Broncos. We only had 12 minutes. I knew it was going to be close, but we tried,” he said.
However, Magid left the door open for a return to the Broncos despite suggesting there were other teams interested in his client.
As things settle down over the next few days, the two parties are expected to open talks again but will ruing the fax blunder which could have had Dumervil’s future for next season already guaranteed/
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