C.J. Anderson decision day: Will Denver match Dolphins offer sheet for running back?

The Denver Broncos have until 4 pm Eastern time today to make a decision on whether or not they will match the Miami Dolphins' offer sheet signed by running back C.J. Anderson. Denver placed the lowest possible tender on Anderson, a restricted free agent, this offseason, which gives the team the right to match any offer, but will not give the Broncos any draft pick compensation if the running back does leave the team.

The Dolphins signed Anderson to a 4-year, $18 million offer sheet last week, giving him $10 million guaranteed. The Broncos then had five days to make a decision, with Tuesday the deadline.

No one seems to know exactly what the Broncos will do, with conflicting reports being published throughout the last four days. Some reports indicate Denver will not match due to salary cap considerations while others say the team will match the  offer sheet and keep Anderson, who will be entering his fourth season in 2016.

Since being signed as an undrafted free agent, Anderson has appeared in 35 games, with 12 starts, rushing for 1,607 yards on 338 carries, giving him 4.8 yards per carry average, with 13 career touchdowns. He has also caught 59 passes for 507 yards with two scores. Anderson was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2014. He ran 23 times for 90 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos' 24-10 win in Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers.

Miami has seemingly entered a holding pattern, waiting for a decision from the Broncos. The South Florida franchise has met with several free agents over the past few days, including defensive end Chris Clemons, quarterback Brandon Weeden, linebacker Sean Spence, and defensive end Jason Jones.  None of the players signed a contract, which could be a signal that Miami is trying to figure out what Denver will do before they commit anymore salary cap space to signing other players.

The final countdown is on for the Broncos. By 4 pm this afternoon tonight, the Dolphins will have an answer and be able to resume the rest of their free agency plans.

UPDATE:

The previously reported 4 pm ET deadline was not correct. It appears the Broncos have until midnight ET to make their decision:

For further clarification, the deadline for the @broncos on the C.J. Anderson offer sheet from the @MiamiDolphins is midnight, Eastern time.

— Alain Poupart (@apoupartFins) March 15, 2016