After struggling during his final seasons in Baltimore, Willis McGahee proved his doubters wrong during the 2011/2012 campaign with the Denver Broncos. McGahee rushed for 1,199 yards and provided leadership to a Broncos team that surprised many people by winning the AFC West and advancing in the postseason.
Following his outstanding season, Mike Klis of the Denver Post reported that McGahee was unhappy with his contract situation:
While McGahee is not expected to hold out, his case for a new deal is based on making the Pro Bowl last season by leading the NFL's No. 1 rushing team with 1,199 yards and averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Given that production, McGahee's $2 million salary pales next to the expected running back franchise tag salary of about $7.7 million. At least nine NFL running backs average at least $5 million a year.
The Broncos, though, can argue they were more than generous last season because McGahee had averaged only 532 rushing yards in his previous three years as a backup to Ray Rice in Baltimore. McGahee turns 31 in October.