The Denver Broncos' 2025 campaign came to a close just shy of the Super Bowl, and now the attention shifts to what’s next. With the offseason officially underway, the focus turns to roster construction-and that starts with free agency.
Once the confetti settles after Super Bowl LX, the NFL calendar flips quickly. The new league year kicks off on March 11 at 2:00 p.m.
Mountain Time, opening the door for unrestricted free agents to hit the market. For Denver, this is a pivotal stretch.
The front office, led by George Paton and Sean Payton, will need to make some tough calls-not just on who to bring in to support quarterback Bo Nix, but also who to keep in-house.
Let’s break down what’s ahead for the Broncos, starting with their own free agents.
Understanding the Free Agency Landscape
Before diving into names, it’s important to understand the types of free agents the Broncos are dealing with.
Restricted free agents (RFAs) can negotiate with other teams, but the Broncos have the right to match any offer. These players are typically given a tender-essentially a contract offer that comes with draft compensation if they sign elsewhere.
For example, if Denver places a third-round tender on a player and chooses not to match another team’s offer, they’ll receive a third-round pick in return. That said, these scenarios don’t play out often.
More often than not, the spotlight is on unrestricted free agents (UFAs)-veterans who are free to sign with any team once the new league year begins.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the Broncos’ 2026 unrestricted free agents.
Broncos' 2026 Unrestricted Free Agents
- John Franklin-Myers, DL
- **J.K.
Dobbins, RB**
- Alex Singleton, LB
- Justin Strnad, LB
- Adam Trautman, TE
- Michael Burton, FB
- Geron Christian, OL
- P.J. Locke, S
- Lil'Jordan Humphrey, WR
- Sam Mustipher, C
- Marcedes Lewis, TE
- Delarrin Turner-Yell, S
At first glance, this isn’t a list loaded with marquee names, but there are still some important decisions to be made-especially when it comes to depth, leadership, and scheme fit.
Key Decisions Looming
John Franklin-Myers is arguably the biggest name on this list. He was a steady presence up front and brought versatility to the defensive line.
The question is whether Denver can afford to keep him. If his market heats up, the Broncos may have to decide just how much they’re willing to invest in a player who, while impactful, could command a sizable payday.
Then there’s Alex Singleton, who’s been a tackling machine and a vocal leader on defense. He’s the kind of player who sets the tone in the locker room and on the field.
But with Justin Strnad also hitting free agency-and likely to come at a lower price-Denver might opt for the younger, cheaper option. That’s a classic offseason balancing act: leadership and proven production versus upside and cap flexibility.
J.K. Dobbins presents perhaps the most intriguing dilemma.
When healthy, he’s dynamic. He showed flashes of being a top-tier back when he was in the lineup this past season.
But durability has been the story of his career-he was lost for the season in Week 10 and has struggled to stay on the field consistently. The Broncos have to ask themselves: do they double down on Dobbins and hope for a healthy return, or do they look elsewhere for a more reliable backfield option?
Depth Pieces and Veteran Presence
Beyond the headliners, there are a handful of role players and veterans who could be retained for depth or leadership purposes. Adam Trautman and Marcedes Lewis both contributed at tight end, with Lewis bringing a wealth of experience to the room.
Michael Burton filled a niche role at fullback, while P.J. Locke and Delarrin Turner-Yell provided depth in the secondary.
Sam Mustipher and Geron Christian offered flexibility along the offensive line, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey gave the receiving corps a physical presence when called upon. These may not be splashy names, but they’re the kind of players who round out a roster and become critical over the course of a long season.
What’s Next?
With March 11 circled in red on the calendar, the Broncos have some big decisions to make. Do they invest in retaining their current core? Or do they look to reshape the roster around Bo Nix with outside talent?
Either way, the next few weeks will set the tone for what Denver hopes will be a deeper playoff push in 2026. And with a young quarterback stepping into a bigger role, every move this front office makes will be under the microscope.
The offseason is just beginning-but for the Broncos, the clock is already ticking.