Nick Vannett and Jeff Heuerman are reuniting in Denver.
The Denver Broncos are reportedly signing Vannett to a two-year deal, according to multiple reports.
Source: The #Broncos have signed former #Steelers and #Seahawks TE Nick Vannett on a 2-year deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 21, 2020
Per 9News' Mike Klis, Vannett's contract is worth $5.7 million.
Excited to be part of #BroncosCountry https://t.co/RboTvxaLfn
— Nick Vannett (@N_Vannett81) March 21, 2020
The Broncos now have two former Ohio State tight ends on their roster, as Vannett and Heuerman previously teamed up for the Buckeyes. Both were members of Ohio State's recruiting class of 2011 and played together through the 2014 season, after which the Broncos selected Heuerman in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Former Ohio State defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones and defensive back Tyvis Powell are also on the Broncos' roster.
Whether Heuerman and Vannett will remain teammates in Denver is uncertain, as some believe Vannett's signing could be a precursor to the Broncos moving on from Heuerman, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his NFL career. Heuerman signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the Broncos last offseason, but given that the Broncos have also drafted Big Ten tight ends in each of the last three years – Jake Butt in 2017, Troy Fumagalli in 2018 and Noah Fant in 2019 – Heuerman could potentially become a candidate for trade or release.
At least for now, though, Vannett and Heuerman will be teammates like old times.
Vannett, who was selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks, spent most of last season with the Steelers after being traded to Pittsburgh in September. In his first four NFL seasons, Vannett has been used primarily as a blocker – much like at Ohio State – and caught 61 passes for 591 yards and four touchdowns.
