If Paton gets his way, the 2021 Broncos will look a lot like 2020

If new general manager George Paton gets his way then the Denver Broncos may be running it back with a lot of familiar faces from the 2020 roster.

George Paton — “We want to bring Von back.”

— Kendall Valenzuela (@kvalenzuela17) March 4, 2021

During Thursday’s Zoom press conference Paton expressed interest in bringing back virtually every Broncos player who’s future is up in the air.

Starting with outside linebacker Von Miller, who is still under criminal investigation, Paton said they are currently working things out with Miller and his agent.

“We want to bring Von back,” Paton said.

Miller has a $7 million guaranteed option on an $18 million payout for 2021, the final year of what had been an NFL-record six-year contract.

Broncos safety Justin Simmons played every single defensive snap in 2021 and was tied for the seventh highest paid safety with a franchise tag salary of $11.441 million after the Broncos could not reach a multiyear-contract agreement.

Paton wants to change that this season.

“He’s one of our core guys and our goal is to sign him to a long-term deal,” Paton said.

Maybe Paton will establish his own set of rules and philosophies if the team and Simmons agree to a long-term contract. It would definitely go against John Elway’s last ten season as general manager.

According to 9News Broncos Insider Mike Klis, a second franchise tag in 2021 will likely occur closer to the March 9 deadline and would give Simmons a 20 percent bump to $13.729 million during the upcoming season.

George Paton on Lindsay — “He’s a good player … we do plan on tendering him but I’m not sure what level.”

— Kendall Valenzuela (@kvalenzuela17) March 4, 2021

It was reported that the Broncos plan on tendering restricted free agent Phillip Lindsay and Paton confirmed on Thursday that they want Lindsay to stay with the Denver Broncos.

“We do plan on tendering him, although I’m not sure what level, but we want Phillip here,” Paton said.

Safety Kareem Jackson is in a similar situation as Miller with the contract option window open until March 16.

Jackson has a $1.5 million option guarantee on his $10 million salary in 2021, but Paton was adamant that he wants Jackson back based on his play and the leadership he brings to the team.

“I’ve spoken with Kareem and we have to work through some things, but we have had positive conversations and we would like Kareem back,” Paton said.

Alongside Lindsay’s upcoming tender, Paton made sure that the futures of Alexander Johnson and Tim Patrick were known.

“We are going to tender both those players,” Paton said. “I’m not sure what level, but again those are two good football players that we look forward to being here in the future.”

So, if Paton gets his way the 2021 Broncos could look very similar to last season.