Guard Evan Mathis finally found a team for the 2015 season on Tuesday when he signed a one-year deal with the Broncos that can be worth as much as $4 million if Mathis earns all his incentives.
PFT reported Tuesday night that Mathis had a more lucrative offer from another team and Mathis said the same during an interview with Mike Klis of 9News in Denver. Mathis said that offer was equal to the $5.5 million he was set to make in Philly before being released, but said “you can’t put a price on peace of mind” or on the chance to play for a team that can make a playoff run.
“The No. 1 priority in finding a new place to play was playing for a contender,” Mathis said. “The Broncos weren’t in the mix early on. They were kind of the darkhorse in the race. They emerged here late and I just couldn’t turn down that opportunityr.”
Mathis says he’s in shape, although he’ll “have to get used to the altitude” in Denver. Assuming that doesn’t present too many problems, Mathis should assume the starting left guard job in time for Week One and provide experience to a line that was set to start three inexperienced players before his arrival. If he also provides the level of performance from the last couple of years in Philly, he’ll help the Broncos chances of being the contender he expects them to be.