Randy Gregory's exit from Denver

Randy Gregory's exit from Denver became imminent this week, but the storyline took a turn on Friday with a team stepping in to acquire his services.

The Denver Broncos are trading Gregory and a 2024 seventh-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Friday, per a source.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the trade Friday afternoon, adding that Gregory passed his physical in San Francisco but won't be available to play until after Week 5.

Gregory's trade to San Francisco comes days after it was reported Denver was releasing the 30-year-old pass rusher, who signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Broncos ahead of the 2022 season. Gregory generated three sacks in 10 career games with the Broncos and saw his snaps greatly reduced the past two weeks, including his removal from the starting lineup in Denver's Week 4 win over Chicago.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton had told reporters Wednesday that the decision to part ways with Gregory was based on what was best for the team and that the veteran's release would be official within the next two days if a trade partner didn't emerge.

In Denver's Week 4 win, Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper started the game at outside linebacker and combined for nine tackles, 3.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

The deal comes together after a week of speculation surrounding Gregory's future with the Broncos. Gregory had not been present at Denver's practice facility after he and his representatives asked for a release earlier in the week, sources told ESPN. Broncos head coach Sean Payton acknowledged that a move with Gregory was coming and said moving on from him was "something we felt was just best for our team right now timing-wise," before the Broncos and Niners reached agreement on a deal.

Gregory spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys (2015-16, 2018 and 2020-21), who selected him in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He missed two seasons for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

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Sarah H

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