Report: Broncos Working to Re-Sign DB Essang Bassey
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The Denver Broncos bolstered their secondary and special teams on Saturday by working to close a one-year deal with defensive back Essang Bassey. 9NEWS' Mike Klis broke the news on Twitter.
"Free agency can be fluid at this stage. Per source, CB Essang Bassey is finishing up a one-year deal to return to Broncos. Depth at nickel behind K’Waun Williams. Bassey also a good special teamer," Klis tweeted.
Bassey, 24, was a college free agent out of Wake Forest in 2020, who not only managed to make the Broncos' final roster out of training camp, but carved himself out a starting role by midseason. As Vic Fangio's dime-backer, Bassey's toughness and versatility were on display as a rookie before he tore his ACL and landed on injured reserve.
From there, Bassey worked to get back to full strength, and opened the 2021 campaign on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list before the Broncos waived him that December. Across the division, the Los Angeles Chargers wanted some Fangio intel, claiming Bassey off waivers.
His stay in L.A. only lasted until January before he was waived yet again. The Broncos, under the Nathaniel Hackett regime, claimed Bassey off waivers in the spring of 2022.
Bassey would go on to appear in 14 games last season in Denver, though he didn't garner any starts. With Sean Payton now installed, Bassey is set to play for his (count 'em) third Broncos coaching regime.
That tells you a little something about him. Fangio loved Bassey, and it would seem that Ejiro Evero was fond of him, too. And now, Vance Joseph gets to make use of the defensive back who can play boundary corner — though it's not his strong suit — nickel, safety, and dime-backer.
Bassey has appeared in 28 NFL games with three starts, totaling 39 tackles (32 solo), an interception, and four passes defensed. Despite the rumors of the Broncos' interest in free-agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Bassey reunion, in tandem with P.J. Locke also being re-signed, might cool that buzz significantly.
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