The Broncos have indeed applied the lowest level restricted free agency tender to running back C.J. Anderson. The next step will be for a team to possibly offer Anderson an offer sheet, with the Broncos having only a right to match and no compensation.
While it’s permissible for teams to talk to agents regarding players who will become unrestricted free agents, discussions regarding restricted free agents are prohibited until Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET. Even though teams can’t officially express interest in Anderson until Wednesday (wink, nod), it’s believed (nod, wink) that there will be significant interest in Anderson when the market opens.
The Broncos have done fine without a high-end running game. (Hell, they won a Super Bowl without a passing game.) G.M. John Elway is surely confident he can find another running back or two, or more.
Typically, teams don’t pursue players subject to a right of refusal as soon as free agency opens. The goal in this specific case would be to sign Anderson to an offer sheet at a time when the Broncos are regarded as being unable to match an offer sheet with a high 2016 cap number.
