The Broncos did an outstanding job last season, and that can be attributed to many successful roster decisions that translated via good coaching to a 14-3 record, the #1 seed in the AFC, and the franchise’s first playoff win in ten seasons. There’s much to be proud of, even if unfortunately the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl was not attained. Work must be done to be in position to seal the deal of that ultimate goal, even if much work has already been done with a series of prudent contract extensions of key players.
1. Heavily address tight end again
The Broncos took reasonable shots at fixing what is now their longest struggle of a position to fix by signing Evan Engram, and taking a flyer of Caleb Lohner in the late 7th round. Unfortunately, those shots have missed yet again. Engram ended up with the fourth worst receiving DYAR among tight ends, Lohner remains firmly in flyer status with no regular season play, and the rest of the tight ends continue to prove nothing but role status. They must go back to the drawing board yet again.
a) Acquire a veteran tight end
Among unrestricted free agents, Cade Otton, Dallas Goedert, Chigoziem Okonkwo, Isaiah Likely, David Njoku, and Foster Moreau could all be considerations. (I presume that Kyle Pitts will at least receive a franchise tag, and that Travis Kelce will only stay with the Chiefs or retire.) Among tight ends that could be cut, there are fewer names to consider, especially if one rules out players like Colby Parkinson or Cole Kmet that are highly unlikely to be cut. Nonetheless, there is enough talent out there find a new immediate patch to a gaping hole.
b) Prioritize getting a rookie tight end
The way the draft board fell for the Broncos in 2025, there wasn’t much else they could have done to get an upper tier rookie tight end without passing on the players that they did draft before Lohner, all of which have reasonable promise to be NFL caliber players. But it’ll be very disappointing if this happens to them again in 2026, especially given how many 2025 rookie tight ends impressed in their first season. Given that the Broncos are not scheduled to pick until 30th overall, I would not rule out selecting a tight end anywhere in the draft, or even mildly trading up in the first round if need be. But it’s imperative the Broncos do not come out of this rookie class empty handed here.
Whither Evan Engram?
This is not an official roadmap goal, but should the Broncos succeed at the above two tight end goals, Engram’s future will have to be considered. There is no rush to cut him now: he has no vesting guarantees, and only $3.8 million of 2026 cap dollars would be freed up. Nor should he be cut now when the position he plays remains barren. But the consideration gets placed on the table if any new tight ends to the team impress enough in the preseason to emerge as a starter. Cutting Engram does inflict a sunk cost of up to $5 million in dead cash, but could be offset if he were to sign elsewhere, and $6.5 million of non-guaranteed cash would be freed up.
2. Heavily address running back
JK Dobbins is a free agent. RJ Harvey showed promise as a rookie, especially in the receiving game where he ranked 4th best in DYAR, but has not proven he can be a comprehensive running back. Jaleel McLaughlin has been a good role player, but is a restricted free agent that should not get an offer of even a right of first refusal tender of $3.5 million. Tyler Badie will likely be back as an exclusive rights free agent, but more talent is needed at this position.
a) Acquire a veteran running back
Re-signing Dobbins is certainly an option that should be on the table. However, running back is regularly a position that is good to shop for in free agency, and this season is no exception. Thanks to his Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker may now have surpassed Breece Hall as the top free agent running back should either even make it to the market. Travis Etienne, Rico Dowdle, Tyler Allgeier, Kenneth Gainwell, Isiah Pacheco, and old friend Javonte Williams have expiring contracts as well. Running backs that could be cut run much in the older range, including former Sean Payton player Alvin Kamara, so that would not seem to be as viable as an option
a) Acquire a rookie running back
Unlike tight end, running back does not necessarily need high prioritization of draft capital, and a UDFA could also suffice. But it’s a position that’s always good to be taking regular shots at in rookie classes in some form, and the Broncos’ need there certainly demonstrates in in 2026.
3. Acquire a veteran linebacker
Alex Singleton, who will turn 33 next season, and Justin Strnad, who will turn 30, both have expiring contracts. Both should be under consideration to be re-signed. However, like running back, linebacker is a great position to shop for in free agency, and the Broncos should look into all ways to possibly get an upgrade at the position alongside Dre Greenlaw as a starter.
If there is one unrestricted free agent I could see the Broncos spending a good amount of money on, it’d be Devin Lloyd, who had an excellent 2025 in Jacksonville, but as a first rounder did not have his fifth year option picked up due to the NFL’s continued ridiculous insistence on grouping linebackers with some edge rushers in their antiquated position designations. But if they can’t land him, players like Leo Chenal, Quay Walker, or Nakobe Dean could be among those in consideration. Though at their ages it would likely be more for depth, former Sean Payton players in Alex Anzalone or (pairing him with younger brother Jonah) Kaden Elliss couldn’t be ruled out either.
4. Offer a second round restricted free agent tender to Ja’Quan McMillian
This should cost about $5.8 million, but it should be blatantly obvious to do after he continued to improve as one of the better nickelbacks in the league in 2025. The question of an extension does not need to be answered immediately, especially with Riley Moss also coming up on an expired contract after 2026, and with Jahdae Barron waiting in the wings. However, it should be made clear that McMillian will stay with the Broncos for 2026.
5. Make a decision at swing tackle
Another intriguing RFA this offseason is Alex Palczewski, who started 10 games in relief of Ben Powers at left guard, and did fairly well. As stated, the right of first refusal tender will be about $3.5 million this season. Coincidentally, that is the same amount that Matt Peart is due for 2026. A ROFR tender could make sense for Palczewski, but with Frank Crum also on the roster, such a tender might have to come at the expense of Peart.
6. Consider a multiseason extension for Devon Key
Normally it is pointless to discuss players who are exclusive rights free agents, as they are tendered at the minimum salary with no thought. Most ERFAs, however, aren’t first team All Pros nor are on the PFWA All-NFL team. It would be a show of good faith if Key received more than the scheduled minimum salary of $1.075 million for 2026, in exchange for agreeing to enter contract with the Broncos for 2027. Something along the lines of $4 million over two seasons, with a signing bonus to get Key more money now, could be reasonable.
7. Resolve the defensive line depth chart
Zach Allen, DJ Jones, and Malcolm Roach all received extensions in 2025 to round out the starting lineup. Eyioma Uwazurike has emerged into a key reserve, and Sai’vion Jones is waiting in the wings to fill out the depth chart. But there still is someone else to mention.
a) Let John Franklin-Myers enter free agency
This is a painful goal to write, as Franklin-Myers has been an outstanding bargain acquisition for the Broncos for the past two seasons. But with the team making their decision on signing three other defensive lineman to starting veteran caliber contracts, there isn’t practical room to make it four. It would be insulting to Franklin-Myers to try to find a discounted price to make returning work, especially after the pay cut he took to arrive in Denver. I hope he can secure the bag he so greatly deserves somewhere in the NFL.
Don’t rule out adding another defensive lineman
This is not an official goal, since being five deep at the position is a good place to be. But with a bit on uncertainty due to Sai’vion Jones playing very little in his rookie season, it could still be prudent to add a veteran or rookie at a reasonable price just to make sure that a position that’s important to be deep in remains so.
Extend George Paton
This is not an official goal, because it is unclear what the timeline on such a matter would be. However, I nonetheless deem this the most important goal for the Broncos to achieve in 2026, as this is the final season of Paton’s contract that he signed in 2021 when he succeeded John Elway as general manger.
By all accounts that I’ve read, George Paton and Sean Payton get along well, and have operated the team very well under the oversight of Greg Penner. The Broncos are also capable of beating any offer on monetary terms against any other team in the league. Given his stellar scouting to find multiple top contributors, even with restricted resources via the Russell Wilson trade, keeping Paton in Denver should be a no-brainer.
From the outside, the only way I could see otherwise is if George Paton is offered to once again run a team with full control, instead of the lateral control he now shares with Sean Payton with both reporting to Penner. But given his ill fated hiring of Nathaniel Hackett, it’s unclear if he would receive such an offer to have authority to the point of having so over a coaching staff. Nonetheless, with his former team in the Vikings soon to have a vacancy at GM after the draft, and perhaps other teams creating vacancies in 2027, the Broncos should not leave anything to chance, and reward Paton well as soon as practical.