Looking Back Broncos: The Ja’Wuan James disaster

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Trainers come to the aid of Denver Broncos Offensive Tackle Ja'Wuan James (70) during the Monday Night Football Season Opener between the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 9, 2019 at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland, CA. (Photo by Larry Placido/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images It was just 5 short years ago, May 4, 2021, that Broncos free agent tackle Ja’Wuan James tore his achilles while working out away from the team.

Broncos' OT Ja'Wuan James’ contract tolled last year, so he was playing under his 2020 contract this year, which had $10 million guaranteed for skill and injury, and another $10 million in 2021. So it’s a $20 million potential torn Achilles injury today. https://t.

co/jj10uOm298 — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 4, 2021 James signed a 4-year, $51-million contract on March 13, 2019 that briefly made him the highest-paid right tackle in history. In his first game, a Monday night season opener against the Raiders in 2019, he injured his knee and that was essentially it for him with the Broncos. While he did appear in 3 games that season, his expected impact never materialized.

James did not play in 2020, opting out of the season because of his concerns surrounding the on-going COVID pandemic. After the achilles tear that occurred exactly 5-years ago today, the Broncos had finally had enough and released James just 10-days later, on May 14, 2021. Because the Broncos gave millions to a player who ultimately did not play, they were understandably hesitant to fork over any more cash on, what was, a total lost cause.