The Denver Broncos officially traded Pro Bowl offensive tackle Ryan Clady and a seventh-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft to the New York Jets in exchange for a fifth-round selection.
Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway made the announcement Sunday after the news of the trade was reported by multiple media outlets the previous day.
“Ryan was a great Bronco who made a tremendous impact on our team during his eight seasons in Denver,” Elway said in a statement. “In addition to becoming a Pro Bowl player, he was such a positive presence in our locker room and community. Our organization thanks Ryan for his many contributions and wishes him all the best in the next chapter of his NFL career.”
The 29-year-old Clady arrived at the Jets’ complex for a physical Friday and agreed to a restructured contract with the Jets on Saturday, ESPN.com reported. It is a one-year deal worth $6 million in base salary, with $3 million of that guaranteed, and it could increase to $7.5 million if he reaches incentives in the contract, according to ESPN.
The reworked deal between the Jets and Clady also has an additional option year for a minimum of $10 million that could escalate to $13 million based on playing time and includes a $2.5 million February bonus, ESPN reported. If the Jets decline to pick up that option after this season, Clady will become a free agent.
Clady had two years and $19.5 million remaining on his previous contract with Denver, which he signed in 2013, but none of that money was guaranteed.
Clady was Denver’s longest-tenured player, starting all 98 regular-season games played and all four postseason contests since he was selected by the team with the 12th overall pick in the 2008 draft out of Boise State.
A three-time Associated Press All-Pro selection (first team – 2009, 2012; second team – 2008), Clady’s four Pro Bowls (2009, 2011-12, 2014) represent the most in team history by an offensive tackle.
Clady was Denver’s starting left tackle from his first game in 2008, finishing third in the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. The following year, he was named a first-team All-Pro selection to make him just the fifth tackle since the 1970 NFL merger to earn that distinction by his second professional season.
After an offseason knee injury in 2010, Clady recovered to start all 16 games for the Broncos and was voted as the team’s recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. He opened all 16 games in each season from 2011-12, earning consecutive Pro Bowl honors.
Clady missed his first career games in 2013 after suffering a Lisfranc injury in the team’s third contest and being placed on injured reserve. He returned in 2014 to start every game for Denver and earn his fourth career Pro Bowl. A knee injury during the 2015 offseason kept Clady off the field during his final year with the Broncos.