The Denver Broncos have built something sturdy enough that the conversation has shifted from “How do they fix this roster?” to “How do they keep all of it together?”
That’s a pretty sharp turn for a franchise that didn’t assemble this group in a hurry. Left tackle Garett Bolles and wide receiver Courtland Sutton are the two longest-tenured Broncos, with Bolles in Denver since 2017 and Sutton since 2018.
Linebacker Justin Strnad arrived in the 2020 draft, while Patrick Surtain and Quinn Meinerz came in 2021. Piece by piece, the Broncos have stacked smart moves on top of smart moves, and it has left them with a roster that could be good enough to win it all in 2026.
The catch is that talent comes with a bill.
General Manager George Paton has leaned hard into drafting and developing, and Denver has rewarded a long list of players with big-money deals. That group includes Surtain, Meinerz, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto, Luke Wattenberg, Bolles, and Sutton. The Broncos have also made some major free agency splashes, landing Talanoa Hufanga, Zach Allen, and DJ Jones on significant deals.
For now, Denver has a real advantage because Bo Nix is still on his rookie contract. That window matters.
But no NFL team can pay everybody, and next offseason could force the Broncos into some uncomfortable choices. Nix is expected to be a priority for an extension, and a long list of players could be staring at free agency:
Ben Powers
Evan Engram
Brandon Jones
Jarrett Stidham
Ja'Quan McMillian
Marvin Mims Jr
Riley Moss
Eyioma Uwazurike
Bringing back players like Powers and Engram does not seem likely, but the bigger point is that the Broncos are going to have several decisions to make on players they would like to keep. The money may simply not stretch that far.
Still, this is the kind of problem a well-run front office wants. Denver’s roster is so deep that future replacements may already be in the pipeline.
Jahdae Barron could eventually step into the kind of role Moss or McMillian fills now, especially if the Broncos do not keep both future free agents. The team also drafted OT/OG Kage Casey in the 2026 NFL Draft, and with Powers due to hit the open market, Casey could be viewed as his long-term answer.
The Broncos are still months away from the start of the 2026 regular season, but the issue is already clear: they have too much talent to keep it all.
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Sean Payton Suddenly Has A Broncos QB Decision To Watch
The Broncos quarterback picture has become a little more interesting behind the scenes as Sean Payton and the staff sort out the backup job between Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger. Both are getting a look as they settle into Davis Webbs new offensive system, with the team also monitoring the health of the starter as he works his way back from a broken ankle.
What has made the competition worth watching is the way the two have looked in practice. Ehlinger has been noted for smoother offensive execution and some sneaky athleticism, while Stidham has had moments that have not helped his case, including turnovers. It is still early, but this is the kind of camp battle that can shift quickly, especially when a coach like Payton is trying to find the most reliable option if the position gets tested. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Keep Proving Their Undrafted Pipeline Is Part Of Their DNA
Denvers reputation for finding talent after the draft keeps getting reinforced, and the latest reminder came with Pro Football Focus building its 2026 All-Undrafted Team. The Broncos landed three veterans on the list, another nod to a franchise that has long squeezed real value out of overlooked players and turned that lane into part of its identity. From steady contributors to edge rushers who kept climbing, the organization has made undrafted success look less like an exception than a recurring theme.
That pipeline is still active heading into 2026, with Denver adding more undrafted help from the UFL and giving a fresh batch of rookies a chance to fight for roster spots. Dondrea Tillman, Jonathon Cooper and McMillian were all recognized by PFF, but the bigger story for the Broncos is that the room behind them keeps filling up. If even a couple of those newcomers stick, Denvers long-running habit of turning overlooked players into meaningful pieces may be alive and well again. [Read more 🡒]