According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the asking price for defensive end Malik Jackson is $12 million per year.

Just yesterday there were reports/rumors swirling that Malik Jackson was seeking a five-year, $75 million contract. That would average out to be $15 million dollars per year. It was also reported yesterday that the Broncos offered Jackson a deal in the range of $10 million per year.

It appears that Jackson's asking price is anywhere from $12 million to $15 million a year, but will the Broncos offer that type of money for Jackson?

Well, Biggs dropped an interesting nugget in his piece that could point to just that.

He reported that Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway and his trusted contract negotiator Mike Sullivan checked into the same Indianapolis hotel as Malik Jackson's agent Jack Scharf checked into at the same time on Wednesday.

The Denver Post reported the Super Bowl champion Broncos have made an offer to Jackson in the range of $10 million per year. Coincidence or not, Jackson's agent, Jack Scharf, and Broncos general manager John Elway and contract negotiator Mike Sullivan checked into a downtown hotel at the same time Wednesday afternoon. Jackson is believed to be seeking $12 million per year, and even with the Bears ' plentiful salary-cap space, that might be putting too many eggs in one basket, as Pace put it in January.

Could this just be a coincidence or could the two sides be working on a long-term deal for Jackson as we speak?

Both parties are in Indianapolis this week for the NFL Scouting Combine. Elway is there to be checking out the talent in this year's upcoming draft while Jackson's agent is there to gauge the interest in his client from the other 31 teams.

It will be interesting to see what comes from this. I expect we will get another report or two before the week is over on this matter. Clearly the Broncos are trying to re-sign Jackson, but it won't be easy. He is expected to be the top prize on the free agent market and could cash in big this offseason.

Will it be with the Broncos? We shall see.