Source: DeMarcus Ware to Broncos
— -- DeMarcus Ware has reached an agreement with the Denver Broncos on a three-year, $30 million contract that includes $20 million in guaranteed money, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The deal, which is pending a physical, will pay Ware $13 million this season -- $250,000 more than the star pass rusher was scheduled to make from the Dallas Cowboys, who released him on Tuesday.
Ware's $7 million salary next season also will be guaranteed, according to the source. The deal is contingent upon the 31-year-old Ware passing his physical Wednesday.
Three weeks ago, Ware had two bone chips removed from his elbow. But the injury is said to be doing well, with no issues.
Once Ware was released by Dallas, at least a dozen teams expressed interest. In a 24-hour span, the Broncos have added Ware, cornerback Aqib Talib and safety T.J. Ward.
"[Ware and Talib] are two great players," Ward told ESPN.com on Wedneday. "I know what they do on the field. I know those are two players I admire. We'll work well together."
The reigning AFC champion Broncos agreed with Talib on a six-year, $57 million deal, sources told ESPN. Denver added Ward earlier Tuesday.
"We all have those leadership qualities and we can all help this this team, this defense progress in that area," Ward said. "Just experience, leadership, physical qualities -- [I] think we've seen with Seattle last year that definitely defense wins championships."
The Cowboys released Ware, their all-time leader in sacks, to save $7.4 million against the salary cap. Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner and general manager, called the decision "extremely difficult" in a statement released Tuesday.
Ware recorded 117 sacks in nine seasons with the Cowboys, earning Pro Bowl honors every year from 2006 to 2012
But he had a career-low six sacks in 2013 and missed the first three games with a quadriceps strain. Ware, who turns 32 in July, was set to count $16.003 million against Dallas' cap with a $12.25 million base salary.
The Cowboys selected Ware in the first round of the 2005 draft with the No. 11 overall pick. Ware had a streak of seven seasons with at least 11 sacks and recorded 20 sacks in 2008 and 19.5 sacks in 2011. Only Hall of Famer Reggie White had more 15-sack seasons in a career (five) than Ware (three).
ESPN.com Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold and ESPN.com Cowboys reporter Todd Archer contributed to this report.