Evan Mathis, who drew interest from Dolphins, signs with Broncos

He was released by the team in June.

The Broncos’ needed a starting left guard after trading starter Manny Ramirez to the Detroit Lions during the 2015 NFL Draft.

While Mathis can rub some people the wrong way, he’s one heck of an offensive lineman.

This is an exciting move for the Broncos and another big free agent win for John Elway.

The $1.5 million worth of incentives will include percentage of offensive snaps played as well as amounts for each week Mathis is on the active game-day roster, according to multiple sources.

Mathis held out of Eagles offseason program because he was unhappy with the five-year, $25 million contract he signed in 2012. Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who most likely leaked the initial $4 million figure and the news of a $5.5 million offer, didn’t tell Garafolo which team offered that amount, but I have a feeling the guard-needy Tennessee Titans may have been that team.

However, with the Broncos, Mathis opted to take $4 million for this season, just for the simple reason that he wanted to play for a contender and potentially get a ring.

Coach Gary Kubiak, however, has lauded Paradis’ play in particular of late, and there had been some feeling in the organization Sambrailo would be helped by a veteran presence alongside him.

Broncos fans quickly saw Mathis as a potential fit for Denver, but Mathis took his time choosing a new team. Without Mathis, the Broncos could have been vulnerable to extra blitzing and scheming against the left side of their offensive line.

“I can block stuff out and not let it be a distraction”, Mathis said.

Suddenly, Peyton Manning goes from having three NFL novices protecting him to working behind a line with a top set of guards.