Broncos insider throws cold water on blockbuster trade idea

The Denver Broncos were able to pick up the scraps left by the San Francisco 49ers with two big signings in free agency, landing huge pieces for their defense in Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga. These are players the 49ers most likely wanted to keep, but as they prepare to have to pay Brock Purdy, they are having to trim some big salaries.

As a result, the Broncos have benefitted greatly from what the 49ers are having to do, leading some to believe the Broncos could find another player or two from their roster. There has been speculation that the 49ers could be interested in moving McCaffrey, and ESPN’s Ryan Clark stated earlier in the week that it is a move he would make.

The Broncos, needing a running back, are a team that will be connected to those talks. But Broncos insider Troy Renck completely shot that idea down.

“Bringing home the former Valor Christian star would make a great Disney script. But it lacks context. The Broncos have reframed expectations by signing 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and Engram.

All three players represent different degrees of injury risk, missing 35 of 51 games last season. McCaffrey played in four games in 2024, sabotaged by Achilles, calf and knee problems. The Achilles — and any accompanying tendonitis — is the most annoying and concerning issue for a skill player who turns 29 in June. And this draft is bursting with dynamic running backs available in the first two rounds, including Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, Kaleb Johnson and Quinshon Judkins.

Given their downsizing, the Niners should trade McCaffrey. But they are recalibrating, not rebuilding. Plus, keeping him for one more year gives Brock Purdy a chance to live up to his next contract (the 49ers are 23-8 when McCaffrey plays, 7-8 when he does not)”, wrote Renck.

Clearly, Renck doesn’t seem to think that the Niners are actually interested in trading for McCaffrey and even if they are, the Broncos shouldn’t be the team to make that move.

The Broncos need to add to the running back position, but it seems as though the team may be content to wait for next month’s draft to address that at this point. A trade for McCaffrey — while exciting — could prove to be costly and for a player who barely saw the field last year, it may not make sense for a Broncos team looking to make a run.