Broncos Face Pivotal Offseason with Key Decisions Looming
The Denver Broncos made serious strides in 2025, but as the dust settles on a season that ended just short of the Super Bowl, the focus shifts quickly to what’s next. The bar has been raised in the Mile High City, and with six starters set to hit free agency in March, general manager George Paton has a full plate.
Denver enters the offseason with around $26 million in cap space-middle of the pack by NFL standards-but that number doesn’t tell the whole story. Much of the front office’s energy will be spent trying to keep the core intact, especially on the defensive side of the ball, where the Broncos ranked as one of the league’s best units in 2025.
Linebacker Alex Singleton, center Luke Wattenberg, cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, running back J.K. Dobbins, and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers are all set to test the market.
All five played meaningful roles last season, and Denver would prefer not to see them walk. There’s also interest in bringing back running back Jaleel McLaughlin, safety P.J.
Locke, and defensive lineman Michael Dwumfour-depth pieces who contributed in key moments.
Paton has to navigate a tightrope over the next few months. The NFL Draft looms in April, and while Denver isn’t in full “run it back” mode, they’re clearly looking to retain the spine of a defense that powered them to the AFC Championship Game. Sean Payton has made it clear: the Super Bowl is no longer a dream-it’s the expectation.
To make that leap, Denver may need to make some difficult decisions. Cap space can be created, but it often comes at the cost of veteran players. Expect a few notable names to be cut in the coming weeks to give the Broncos more room to maneuver.
Evan Engram’s Fit in Question
One of the names under the microscope is tight end Evan Engram. The veteran stayed healthy for most of 2025-something that hasn’t always been a given-but the production didn’t follow. Engram finished the year with just 50 receptions for 461 yards and a single touchdown, his least productive season since Year 2 in the league.
After reviving his career in Jacksonville, Engram was brought in to give rookie quarterback Bo Nix a reliable target in the middle of the field. But the chemistry never clicked, and it became clear Engram wasn’t the right fit in Sean Payton and Joe Lombardi’s offensive scheme.
He’s under contract through 2026, with $16.5 million of his $23 million deal guaranteed. Cutting him this offseason would save Denver about $3.8 million in cap space, a number that jumps to over $6 million if they wait until after June 1.
With a deep free agent class at tight end-including names like David Njoku, Zach Ertz, Tyler Conklin, Noah Fant, and Darren Waller-the Broncos could find a more cost-effective and scheme-friendly option. Don’t be surprised if Denver also targets a tight end on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft.
Defensive Line Depth Creating Tough Choices
If there’s one position group that stood out in 2025, it was Denver’s defensive line. The unit was a nightmare for opposing offenses, and most of the key contributors are set to return.
Edge rushers Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper are locked in with fresh multi-year deals. Zach Allen, D.J.
Jones, Malcolm Roach, and Eyioma Uwazurike are all under contract for at least one more season.
But that depth is creating a bit of a logjam-and it could make Jones, a nine-year veteran and longtime starter, the odd man out.
Jones hasn’t fallen off statistically-he notched 39 tackles and tied a career-high with 3.5 sacks in 2025-but his $29 million cap hit over the next two seasons is tough to justify, especially with Roach and Uwazurike emerging as legitimate forces.
Roach, despite starting just two games, led all Broncos defensive linemen with 41 tackles and chipped in four sacks. He was a standout in the postseason, tallying two sacks and three tackles for loss. Uwazurike, meanwhile, posted 39 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his third year and added 10 tackles in the playoffs-tying linebacker Dre Greenlaw for fourth on the team.
Both Roach and Uwazurike are younger, cheaper, and arguably better fits in defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s system. With contract extensions on the horizon for both, the Broncos may choose to allocate resources toward the future rather than continue paying top dollar for Jones.
Linebacker Picture Hinges on Singleton
At linebacker, Denver faces a critical decision. Alex Singleton has been the heart of the defense since arriving in Denver, and he’s coming off yet another 120-tackle season-his fifth in six years. He’s also set to become an unrestricted free agent, and there’s no doubt he’ll draw plenty of interest.
Singleton did suffer a late-season injury scare, but assuming he’s healthy, he’s the top priority for Paton and company. His leadership and production can’t be easily replaced.
Behind him, Justin Strnad-who filled in admirably when Dre Greenlaw was sidelined-will also hit free agency. The Broncos would love to bring him back on a team-friendly deal, but Singleton is the domino that has to fall first.
Then there’s Greenlaw. Denver took a calculated risk last offseason by signing him to a three-year, $31.5 million deal despite his Achilles injury in Super Bowl LVIII.
He played in 10 games (including the playoffs) and racked up 53 tackles, but it was clear he wasn’t quite the same player. If Singleton returns, Greenlaw could be a cap casualty.
Cutting Greenlaw before June 1 would free up about $6 million. Waiting until after that date would increase the savings to over $8 million. It’s not a massive windfall, but it could provide just enough flexibility for Paton to make another splash move.
The Bottom Line
The Broncos are close. That much is clear.
But “close” doesn’t win championships, and the next few months will go a long way in determining whether Denver can take that final step. With a top-five defense, a promising young quarterback, and one of the most experienced coaching staffs in the league, the foundation is strong.
Now it’s up to George Paton and the front office to make the right calls-on who stays, who goes, and who gets brought in to push this team over the top. The Super Bowl isn’t just the goal anymore. It’s the standard.