A year ago, running back Willis McGahee was coming off three straight injury filled seasons with the Ravens, averaging just 531.6 yards a season, and he failed to generate much interest on the open market as a result.

Lucky for him, the Broncos had a definite need for a power runner, and stepped in to give McGahee a reasonable four year deal worth an estimated $9.5 million. McGahee responded with his best season in a long while, rushing for 1,199 yards and four touchdowns while earning a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Fast forward to this off-season.

McGahee, 31, recently fired his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and has since begun to make more than a little noise in Denver, stumping for a new contract that will pay him as the top running back on the league’s best rushing team.

So far, the Broncos have refused to even consider the request, standing pat on the agreement they reached with McGahee last year and pushing back by saying they were one of the only teams willing to take McGahee in on a multi-year deal.

It’s not likely that McGahee will hold out in an effort to receive a new contract, but such a possibility cannot be completely discounted, given McGahee’s past history in forcing his way off previous teams.

If McGahee is able to wriggle his way into a new contract, it’s doubtful that it will a long term deal, given his age and the abuse his body has taken over the years with his physical style of running the ball.

A slight increase in overall salary might be attainable if McGahee sacrifices longevity in the agreement, but at this point, I expect him to keep playing on his current deal rather than risk being released outright.