The Denver Broncos brought in former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Brandon Shell for a free agent visit earlier this week, sparking speculation that he might be the team’s short-term fix at right tackle. ESPN even reported that Shell was poised to sign with the team.
It was a bit of a surprise, then, when the Broncos agreed to terms with Billy Turner on a one-year deal on Thursday evening.
So, what happened?
Apparently, Turner had an under-the-radar visit in Denver last week before Shell, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Turner spent the last three seasons with the Green Bay Packers under new Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett and offensive coordinator Justin Outten.
Klis believes Turner’s familiarity with Denver’s offensive scheme was likely the deciding factor in the Broncos’ decision to sign him over Shell.
Turner played in Denver from 2016-2018, primarily as a backup swing guard/tackle. He was a fill-in starter at right tackle for four games in 2018 and a fill-in…