The Denver Broncos came within one win of punching their ticket to Super Bowl LX, but instead, they’re heading into the offseason with tough decisions looming. That’s the nature of the NFL-rosters evolve quickly, and even teams on the brink of greatness often look very different a year later.
For Denver, the offseason brings a bit of financial breathing room. The team is finally free of the dead money tied to Russell Wilson’s contract, which opens up much-needed cap space. But with that flexibility comes a new set of choices: who to bring back, who to let walk, and where to trim the fat to stay competitive in 2026.
Here’s a look at four Broncos players who might not be back next season-and why.
John Franklin-Myers, DL
This one feels like it’s been coming for a while. John Franklin-Myers is set to hit free agency, and all signs point to the Broncos letting him walk. Despite being a solid contributor along the defensive line, he didn’t receive a contract extension this season-unlike several of his teammates, including Nik Bonitto, Courtland Sutton, Zach Allen, Luke Wattenberg, and Wil Lutz.
The writing may have been on the wall as early as last spring, when Denver traded back into the third round to draft Sai’vion Jones. Jones has long looked like a potential replacement for Franklin-Myers, and now that time may be here. Unless something changes late in the process, expect JFM to be suiting up for a different team in 2026.
Alex Singleton, LB
Alex Singleton has been one of the emotional leaders of this Broncos defense, and his comeback story-battling through a cancer diagnosis this season-only deepened his bond with fans. On the field, he’s still a tackling machine and a reliable veteran presence.
But the NFL is a business, and Singleton is heading into free agency at age 32. That’s a tough age for a linebacker, especially when teams are constantly looking to get younger and cheaper at the position. Justin Strnad is also a free agent, and the Broncos could opt to re-sign the younger Strnad, pair him with Dre Greenlaw, and add another linebacker through the draft.
Singleton’s leadership and production are hard to replace, but Denver will have to weigh that against his age and contract demands. It’s a delicate decision, but one that could lead to a parting of ways.
Matt Peart, OL
Matt Peart’s 2025 season was derailed by injury, and he didn’t suit up for the Broncos’ season-ending loss to the Patriots. When healthy, Peart has value as a depth piece on the offensive line. But with a $3.2 million cap savings on the table if Denver cuts him, and with the emergence of Frank Crum, the writing may be on the wall here too.
Crum has shown enough to make the Broncos believe he can step into a larger role in 2026. And while Peart’s versatility is appreciated, the team may decide that money is better spent elsewhere-especially if they’re considering bigger moves along the offensive line.
There’s also the matter of Mike McGlinchey. If the Broncos decide to move on from him as well, they’d free up an additional $8.4 million. That would be a bold move, but if the coaching staff truly believes in Crum, it’s not out of the question.
Jarrett Stidham, QB
Let’s be clear-Jarrett Stidham didn’t lose the AFC Championship Game on his own. The weather was brutal, and the Patriots’ defense came to play. But Stidham’s performance left a sour taste, and a vocal segment of the fanbase may be ready to move on.
Head coach Sean Payton has consistently shown confidence in Stidham as a backup, and that likely won’t change overnight. Still, the team has to evaluate whether Stidham is the right fit moving forward.
Financially, cutting him would only net the Broncos about $1 million in cap space, thanks to a $3.5 million dead money hit. That’s not a huge incentive unless the team is simply ready for a fresh start at QB2.
Unless Denver adds a more experienced backup or drafts a quarterback they want to develop, it’s entirely possible that Payton sticks with Stidham heading into next season. But if the Broncos want to reshape the quarterback room, this could be a quiet but telling move.
Bottom Line
The Broncos are entering the offseason in a better financial position than they’ve been in for years, but that doesn’t make the decisions any easier. Veterans like Franklin-Myers, Singleton, Peart, and Stidham have all contributed in meaningful ways, but the front office will need to weigh production, age, health, and cap impact when shaping the 2026 roster.
Denver came close this year. Now comes the hard part-figuring out which pieces stay, which ones go, and how to reload for another run at the Super Bowl.