The Broncos have a rare problem among NFL teams: too many cornerbacks. ESPN’s Jeff Legwold projects they could move on from Mathis, who was very good as a rookie in 2022 before losing his starting job after the defense’s slow start in 2023. He played just 27 defensive snaps after Week 6 that season and 80 more across 10 games in 2024. With the Broncos using their 2025 first-round pick on cornerback Jahdae Barron, they could justify moving on from Mathis, who might not be active on game days even if he sticks around.
Mathis’ best season came with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero in Denver, and he hasn’t been able to reach those same heights since Evero left for Carolina. The Panthers are set with Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson and nickel corner Chau Smith-Wade as their three starting corners, but Mathis could push the 28-year-old Jackson and serve as Carolina’s primary reserve on the outside. Mathis is owed $3.4 million in 2025, so Denver might essentially buy a draft pick by eating some of that cash, similar to what the Commanders did when they sent running back Brian Robinson Jr. to the 49ers.