It looks like Emmanuel Sanders will be back in Denver for the 2019 season. Despite a lot of speculation fueled by Sanders' own social media postings, the Broncos are expected to pick up his option for next season next month, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
In the clip Pelissero posted, he explains that Sanders tweeted out a peace-sign emoji, leading many to believe the wide receiver was on his way out. But the team fully expects to have him back, and hasn't even asked him to take a pay cut. Sanders is about to enter into the final year of a three-year, $33 million extension that he signed back in 2016. The team already traded away Demaryius Thomas last season, and apparently doesn't want too much turnover in their wide receiving corps.
Still, with the Broncos drafting so many receivers in recent years like Courtland Sutton in the second round last year, it wouldn't be surprising if this upcoming year is Sanders' last in Denver. He's 31 now, and his production the past couple years has been nowhere near what it was when he first joined the Broncos. For now though, he'll be the number one option for the newly-acquired Joe Flacco.
The Broncos had been talked about as a potential suitor for Antonio Brown, but with Sanders back in the fold that likely removes them from those sweepstakes. Sanders and Brown, former teammates in Pittsburgh, had a heavily publicized feud just last month.
Sanders has struggled with injuries the past couple of seasons, but has still been fairly productive when on the field. Last year, he caught 71 passes for 868 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games. In addition to a new quarterback, he'll also have a new offensive coordinator in Rich Scangarello, the Broncos' third in the past three years.
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