The Broncos have enough on their initial 53-man roster to feel good about where they stand, but that does not mean the group is locked in for Week 1. Denver still has 12 days to make a move if the right free agent surfaces or if a trade opportunity opens up, and that kind of late shift could push someone currently on the roster out the door.
That possibility makes a few names worth watching closely.
Inside linebacker Jordan Turner is one of them. He didn’t make the Broncos’ initial roster in 2025, then appeared in only seven games last season.
His stat line was thin: seven total tackles and 23 total snaps. At this point, Turner doesn’t bring much to the table, even if he is still a younger player.
Calling him a backup might be generous.
The issue for Denver is that the options still out there look better. Bobby Wagner, a future Hall of Famer, remains available, and Germaine Pratt is also on the market as a dependable veteran.
If those are the kinds of names still sitting in free agency, it is hard to argue Turner should be the safer bet. Denver’s inside linebacker room is again shaping up as one of the weaker spots on the roster, and replacing Turner with someone like Wagner or Pratt would not seem to carry much downside.
Tight end Nate Adkins is another player who could get squeezed. The Broncos’ tight end group has been one of the least productive in the league, and that reality hasn’t changed just because the roster is currently set.
Zach Ertz tore his ACL in 2025, but he is cleared for football activities and has still been productive over the last couple of seasons. If Denver were to bring him in, Adkins would be the most likely casualty because of what he does best as a blocker.
The bigger picture at tight end is straightforward: Evan Engram and Adam Trautman are not going anywhere because of their contract situations, and they are also the two best players in the room. Denver also kept rookie Dallen Bentley, whose appeal comes from his upside as a rookie with both blocking and receiving potential.
Even with Adkins in the mix, the Broncos already have blocking ability there. Adding Ertz would be about raising the floor and giving the offense more production from the position, even if it only lasts for a year.
Then there is the quarterback room, where Sam Ehlinger and Jarrett Stidham both sit in a precarious spot. The Broncos may keep both for now because neither one has truly locked down the backup job.
Stidham’s preseason showed a sharp drop from 2025, and his AFC Championship Game performance was described as flat-out horrendous. Ehlinger, on the other hand, simply does not have Stidham’s experience and may not be considered fully ready to handle QB2 responsibilities.
For the moment, Denver might see holding both as the safest route. But the Broncos could also go back to their usual setup, with Bo Nix and the backup on the active roster while the third quarterback stays on the practice squad. If the team decides it needs to open up a spot for help somewhere else, one of Stidham or Ehlinger could be the odd man out.
In Other News...
Broncos May Catch Chiefs At The Perfect Time In Week 1
The Broncos open the season with a chance to test a Chiefs team that has spent much of camp managing health as much as game planning. Kansas City has had several key players on the injury report through training camp and the preseason, including defensive tackle Chris Jones, who missed practice while recovering from a back issue, and coach Andy Reid has said he is hopeful some of those players will be ready by Week 1.
Still, the list of concerns has been long enough to make Denver pay attention. Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Mansoor Delane, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Kenneth Walker III have all dealt with injuries at different points, leaving the Chiefs with more uncertainty than usual heading into the opener. For a Broncos team trying to make an early statement in the division, that kind of opening can matter, even if Kansas City still has time to get right before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Settle Backup QB Battle With A Notable Roster Decision
Sean Payton has settled the Broncos backup quarterback picture, and it gives Denver a clearer sense of how the offense will be structured heading into the regular season. Jarrett Stidham will open as the No. 2 behind Bo Nix, with Sam Ehlinger holding the third spot, a notable roster choice after a summer of competition and preseason work.
For a team trying to stabilize its quarterback room behind a rookie starter, keeping three passers on the active roster is not a small decision. It leaves Denver with experience, insurance and some flexibility if the early part of the season brings more questions than answers, even if the pecking order is now set for the moment. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Backfield Battle Suddenly Feels Bigger Than Fans Expected
The Broncos went into the offseason wanting more stability behind their running game, and the addition of Jonah Coleman has quickly made that conversation more interesting. Drafted in the fourth round, Coleman is already expected to matter this season, not just as a developmental piece but as someone who can help shape the offense if Denver needs him to.
J.K. Dobbins is still projected to open the year as the starter after re-signing with the team, but his injury history keeps the backfield picture from feeling settled. Denver reportedly likes Colemans pass protection and efficiency enough to view him as a real contender for the primary backup job, with the possibility that he could move ahead of RJ Harvey on the depth chart if the Broncos need a reliable option in a larger role. [Read more 🡒]