When Shaquil Barrett was entering his senior season at Colorado State as a 20-year-old husband and father of two children, he would slide various construction jobs between summer workouts to augment the scholarship money that helped feed his family.

Fast forward five years and that family, which has added a young daughter, continues to be the “why” that pushes the Broncos’ outside linebacker, who has gone from an undrafted longshot to a starting pass rusher for the majority of the 2017 season, his third in the league. And as he prepares to hit restricted free agency following the season, which closes with the Broncos hosting the Chiefs on Sunday, Barrett knows he could be on the precipice of providing them with a bright financial future.

“I’m going to try to try take advantage of this next game and have an insane amount of production,” Barrett said this week. “I want to have that job security and financial security to take care of my family forever.”

The question is whether Barrett’s football future will continue to unfold in Denver. A busy offseason for the Broncos following a second straight season without a playoff appearance will begin with decisions that must be made on the team’s restricted free agents — Barrett, center Matt Paradis and wide receiver Bennie Fowler.

The Broncos provided second-round tenders to both of their restricted free agents in 2017, inside linebacker Todd Davis and kicker Brandon McManus, and both remained with the team. The tenders were one-year offers worth $2.75 million, big pay bumps for both players. Davis played on the one-year contract this season and will be an unrestricted free agent once it ends. McManus, meanwhile, signed a long-term contract on the eve of Denver’s regular-season opener back in September.

The Broncos in recent years have retained their restricted free agents. After placing a low-round tender on running back C.J. Anderson in 2016, they matched the four-year, $18 million offer sheet he signed with the Dolphins, keeping him in Denver. That same offseason, Denver placed a second-round tender on inside linebacker Brandon Marshall and ultimately signed him to a four-year extension.

Still, any kind of free agency comes with uncertainty.

“I’ve thought about it, but it’s whatever the Broncos want to do,” said Barrett, who turned 25 last month and played on a $615,000 base salary contract this season. “If they want to bring me back, they can bring me back. I would love to still be here. It’s not like I could just leave and go somewhere. I’m going to be restricted at the end of this year, but I love it here and I would love to be back here next year, for sure.”

Barrett’s prove-it year got off to a rough start. He missed all of training camp while recovering from a hip injury he suffered in May. The Broncos were depending on Barrett following the departure of DeMarcus Ware and an injury in training camp to starting outside linebacker Shane Ray.

So when Barrett returned to action in the opener against the Chargers, he was walking into a larger role. He sacked Philip Rivers that night and has added three more since. He needs just two tackles Sunday to notch a new career high, and Barrett has closed the season strong. His Pro Football Focus grade of 87.7 last week against the Redskins was the highest of any edge defender in the league.

“Shaq has special talent as a rusher,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. “As a run defender, he’s played really well for us. When Shaq is in a football game, he is a starter for me. He’s had a good year for us after having a rough summer. He had a rough summer, came back Week 1 and got a sack. I’ve been proud of what Shaq’s done.”

In Paradis’ free agency, the Broncos must decide what value they place on a center who has been a model of stability. The bulk of Denver’s offensive line has been one big revolving door since 2015. Except, that is, at center, where Paradis has played every snap for the past three seasons entering Sunday’s finale.

Paradis rarely practiced last season while dealing with injuries to both hips, but he never came off the field during games. Surgeries on both of those hips, the second of which occurred in February, kept Paradis out of action through the bulk of training camp. Still, the 28-year-old and former sixth-round pick has played every snap since the opening whistle against the Chargers.

“To watch him play every down for us, that’s amazing,” Joseph said. “He’s, obviously, a big part of what we’re doing moving forward.” Related Articles September 25, 2020 Broncos Briefs: Phillip Lindsay doubtful to play Sunday, but progressing from toe injury

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The Broncos have remained quiet about their specific offseason plans as a forgettable 2017 campaign draws to a close. Each of the three restricted free agents demonstrated their value this season — Fowler already has set career highs in catches (25), receiving yards (294) and touchdowns (three) — but now they are left to play the waiting game.

“I can’t say who’s going to be back next year,” Joseph said Tuesday.

As Barrett discussed his future this week, Davis chimed in from a few lockers away: “Show him the money!”

Barrett cracked a smile. The future may be uncertain, but he’s certain where he wants to be.

“Right now, I’m just happy to be here and happy (the Broncos) gave me a chance,” he said. “And I’m happy I’ve been able to take advantage of this opportunity they gave me. I just want to get back on the winning side of things and do what I can to help us do that.”