The Denver Broncos are staring down one of the most pivotal offseasons in recent franchise history-and it’s not just because of how their 2025 campaign came to a crushing end. Yes, the AFC Championship Game loss to the New England Patriots was a gut punch, but the real blow came a week earlier when Bo Nix went down with a broken ankle. That injury didn’t just sideline a promising young quarterback-it effectively derailed Denver’s postseason hopes.
Now, with the season in the rearview and a clean financial slate ahead, the Broncos are positioned to be one of the more aggressive players in the upcoming offseason. For the first time in a long while, they’re free from the weight of Russell Wilson’s dead cap. That opens up spending flexibility, and with some valuable draft capital in hand, Denver has options-whether that’s trading up, swinging a deal for an offensive weapon, or bolstering depth across the roster.
And while we’re still about a month out from the official start of free agency, things are already moving in Denver. Ten players saw their contracts expire on Monday, signaling the beginning of what could be a significant roster overhaul.
Here’s the list of players whose contracts expired:
- Ben DiNucci
- Delarrin Turner-Yell
- Marcedes Lewis
- Michael Bandy
- Geron Christian
- Brandon Johnson
- Tanner McCalister
- Elijah Moore
- Patrick Murtagh
- Kyrese Rowan
There are some familiar names here, and a few who saw the field in 2025. Let’s break it down.
Marcedes Lewis, the veteran tight end, was brought in midseason and gave the Broncos a steady, if unspectacular, presence as a blocker. He started one game and served primarily as an extra body in the trenches. At 39, Lewis wasn’t expected to stretch the field, and he didn’t-but he did what was asked of him in short bursts.
Michael Bandy is an interesting case. Elevated from the practice squad multiple times, he made a few notable contributions, including a clutch touchdown grab against the Packers.
But for every flash of potential, there was also inconsistency-like the muffed punt against Houston that proved costly. Bandy’s role was always fringe, and while he stuck around longer than some expected, it’s not clear he’ll be in Denver’s future plans.
Then there’s Elijah Moore, arguably the most intriguing name on the list. Moore joined the Broncos midseason and didn’t make a huge splash, but the talent is there.
At just 25 years old and with 200 career receptions under his belt, Moore still has upside. He didn’t carve out a major role in Denver’s offense, but depending on how the offseason shakes out, a return on a futures deal wouldn’t be out of the question.
The rest of the group-players like Brandon Johnson, Geron Christian, and Delarrin Turner-Yell-represent depth pieces and special teams contributors. Some might get a look for training camp, but most are likely headed elsewhere as the Broncos reshape their roster.
And that reshaping is already underway. Head coach Sean Payton has never been shy about bringing in “his guys”-players who fit his system, even if they don’t always make sense to the outside world. That philosophy can work, but it also means the roster churn may continue deep into the offseason.
This latest round of contract expirations is just the beginning. With free agency looming in March, Denver has a real opportunity to make impactful moves.
There’s cap space, there’s draft flexibility, and there’s a coach who knows what he wants. Whether that translates into a playoff return-or more-will depend on how well the front office navigates the next few months.
One thing’s for sure: the Broncos are no longer stuck in neutral. The road ahead is wide open.