The Broncos spent the offseason acting like their roster was already close enough to keep intact. Most of it makes sense.
Denver is loaded in plenty of spots, and George Paton and Sean Payton have clearly pushed this team into the upper tier of the league. But there’s one part of the offense that still looks shaky enough to cause real trouble if it doesn’t hold up: tight end.
That room never really got the kind of fix it needed, and the result is a group that looks thin, old, and overly dependent on one player. If that sounds like a bad setup for 2026, that’s because it is.
Adam Trautman’s three-year extension stands out immediately. He has been mostly invisible during his time in Denver, and his blocking actually slipped in 2025. With that kind of production, or lack of it, there was never much of a case for bringing him back in the first place.
The Broncos also kept Nate Adkins and Lucas Krull, though Adkins comes with obvious availability concerns. He played only nine games last season because of injury and has dealt with several ailments since joining the team.
Then came the draft, where Denver didn’t touch the position until the fifth round and used picks on Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley. Even that felt late. Joly was the more surprising name to get pushed out, especially since the Broncos cut him and kept Bentley instead.
That decision says a lot about how Denver viewed Joly’s development. He had just turned 22 earlier this summer, and tight end is one of those spots where patience usually matters.
Instead, the Broncos moved on. Bentley has some appeal, but he was the second-to-last pick in the draft for a reason, and he won’t even be 26 until near the end of the season.
So now the Broncos are left with Evan Engram, Trautman, Adkins and Bentley. That’s not exactly a room built to scare anybody.
Engram is the obvious headliner, but he comes with his own problems. He’s a receiving tight end with little, if any, blocking ability, and he turns 32 today.
He also didn’t reach 500 receiving yards last season despite catching 50 passes. If his athleticism is starting to fade, Denver could be in real trouble.
That’s the part that makes this group so dangerous for the offense. If Engram isn’t the steady answer the Broncos need in 2026, there isn’t much behind him.
Jaylen Waddle helps the passing game, but Denver still needs somebody at tight end who can at least be a dependable short-yardage target for Bo Nix. Right now, that’s far from guaranteed.
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 🡒]