The Denver Broncos are already laying the groundwork for a pivotal offseason, and they’ve been anything but passive when it comes to roster management. Over the course of the 2025 regular season, the front office made sure to lock in several key contributors before their contracts could hit the open market. Kicker Wil Lutz, center Luke Wattenberg, and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach all signed multi-year extensions, part of a broader trend that’s seen Denver re-sign 11 core players over the last two years.
That kind of proactive approach suggests the Broncos are serious about building continuity - a smart move for a team that’s been searching for stability in recent seasons. But even with those deals done, there’s still plenty of work ahead.
Looking toward the 2026 offseason, Denver has a sizable group of players set to hit free agency. That includes 12 unrestricted free agents, six restricted free agents, and four exclusive rights free agents. Among them are several names that could draw real interest around the league if they make it to the open market.
Headlining the list of pending UFAs is defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, a proven disruptor in the trenches who could be a priority for Denver to retain. Running back J.K.
Dobbins is another big name - when healthy, he’s shown the kind of burst and vision that can change a game. Tight end Adam Trautman brings versatility and familiarity with the system, while linebackers Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton have both carved out meaningful roles on defense and special teams.
Here’s a full breakdown of the Broncos’ 22 pending free agents heading into the spring:
Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA):
- QB Sam Ehlinger
- RB J.K. Dobbins
- FB Adam Prentice
- FB Michael Burton
- TE Adam Trautman
- WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey
- C Sam Mustipher
- DL John Franklin-Myers
- LB Justin Strnad
- LB Alex Singleton
- DB P.J. Locke
- DB Delarrin Turner-Yell
Restricted Free Agents (RFA):
- RB Jaleel McLaughlin
- TE/FB Nate Adkins
- TE Lucas Krull
- OL Alex Palczewski
- DL Matt Henningsen
- CB Ja’Quan McMillian
Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA):
- RB Tyler Badie
- DL Jordan Jackson
- OLB Dondrea Tillman
- DB Devon Key
The Broncos will have until March 9 - when the NFL’s free agency negotiating window opens - to strike extensions with any of their in-house free agents. Once that window opens, players who haven’t been re-signed are free to talk to other teams, with the new league year and official start of free agency kicking off on March 11.
This upcoming stretch will be a test of Denver’s front office strategy. Do they double down on their core and keep the band together?
Or do they let some veterans walk in favor of younger, cheaper options? Either way, the decisions made over the next few months will go a long way in shaping the Broncos’ identity heading into 2026.