Marquette King didn’t need much time finding a new job. The Raiders released the top-flight punter on Friday, and King agreed to join Denver less than a week later.
King will sign a three-year contract with the Broncos, according to multiple reports. NFL Network said King’s deal is worth $7 million.
KUSA in Denver first reported the news.
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King will stay in the AFC West and face the Raiders twice per year through this deal. It also means King will play half his games at altitude, where his strong leg and ability to pin opponents deep will thrive.
King’s talent is unquestioned, as his 42.7-yard net punt average ranked third in the NFL last season.
His price tag was a bit too steep for the Raiders, who cut him with three years left on a five-year deal signed during the 2016 offseason. He was set to make roughly $3 million per year through 2020, and a new Raiders coaching staff, which holds considerable influence in roster decisions, wanted to pay a specialist less than that.
That primarily led to King’s surprise release and put him on the open market late in free agency. King’s an upgrade over most punters under contract, creating opportunities despite most punter jobs being filled.
NFL
The Broncos viewed King as an upgrade over Riley Dixon, and quickly moved to sign him. King had dinner with Broncos brass on Wednesday night, and visited the team facility Thursday morning. A deal was in place shortly after, meaning he’ll regularly have a chance to prove the Raiders wrong for cutting him.
King often dances after successful punts, typically with a reference to the team he’s playing. He’ll probably have some creative options for the Raiders, a team that signed an undrafted free agent in 2012 and gave him a chance to thrive in the NFL.