Denver Broncos

Dealing Ramirez was a tough call for Elway to make

Published May. 1, 2015 2:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Broncos had to let a veteran offensive lineman go in order to secure Shane Ray.

But John Elway struggled with the choice to deal Manny Ramirez up until the very end.

“He’s been a tremendous football player for us. That was one of the hardest phone calls that I’ve ever had to make,” Elway said in a press conference Thursday night.

Ramirez was dealt to the Lions, along with the 28th overall pick and other late-round selections, in a deal that let Elway move up to grab Ray at No. 23 overall.

At first blush, it seems like a bizarre choice to deal from the Broncos' interior O-line. The team was rumored to be targeting help in that spot before Ray became available. Now, they'll seek to replace both guards from last year's team.

Adding Ray was just too temping to pass up, though. And when the Lions came calling, he knew he could send Ramirez to a spot he would be truly wanted -- back to the team that drafted him into the NFL.

“I will say this: He is going to a home (where) they really wanted Manny," Elway said. "It’s where Manny started. We’ve had conversations on and off the last couple weeks, and they centered around Manny. They were very interested in Manny. He’s going to a good home where he is very much wanted."

(h/t CBS Denver)