CJ Anderson's Dolphins Offer Sheet Matched by Broncos: Latest Comments, Reaction

The Miami Dolphins inked running back C.J. Anderson to a four-year, $18 million offer sheet Thursday, requiring the Denver Broncos to match it or lose their talented 25-year-old ball-carrier.  

Tuesday cemented the next step in Anderson's NFL career, as the Broncos elected to match Miami's gaudy offer, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Anderson later confirmed Schefter's report:

Broncos general manager John Elway also spoke on the move, saying the team has "high expectations for C.J. and are glad he's back."

Josina Anderson of ESPN provided more info from Anderson:

Mike Klis of 9News shared the specifics of the offer sheet Thursday:

Had Anderson left the reigning Super Bowl champions, he would've been reunited with Adam Gase. The Dolphins' new head coach was Denver's offensive coordinator in 2014 and helped foster Anderson's breakout Pro Bowl campaign.

Anderson should be perfectly content remaining in the Mile High City, though. Head coach and play-caller Gary Kubiak is very much reliant on a zone-blocking running scheme, which has produced exceptional results in the past and allowed Anderson a healthy 4.7-yards-per-carry clip in 2015.

The big money involved in the Dolphins' bold proposal made this a win-win situation for Anderson. Either he returned to Denver and likely supplanted Ronnie Hillman as the surefire feature back, or he went to the Dolphins and filled the void Lamar Miller left when he signed with the Houston Texans.

Miami may not be thrilled about losing the Anderson sweepstakes, but it does have a second-year back in Jay Ajayi and can always add depth with a more cost-effective option later in the 2016 draft.

Quarterback is the big area of concern for the Broncos, who saw potential Peyton Manning successor Brock Osweiler walk in free agency to join Miller and the Houston Texans. Denver responded by trading for veteran Mark Sanchez, who stands to benefit from a proven back in Anderson and an elite defense to complement him.

Having a back primed for a workhorse role who is familiar with Kubiak's system should immensely help Sanchez or whoever starts under center for the Broncos in 2016. The circumstances should also result in Anderson living up to the expensive price tag Denver may have somewhat reluctantly paid.