With Brandon Jones sidelined by a pectoral injury, the Denver Broncos are once again leaning on their depth in the secondary-and this time, it’s P.J. Locke stepping up into the starting role next to Talanoa Hufanga. Locke has been a steady presence when called upon, and now he’ll be tasked with helping anchor a Broncos defense that’s already punched its ticket to the postseason but still has plenty to play for with three games left in the regular season.
Behind Locke and Hufanga, Denver’s safety room thins out quickly. Devon Key and JL Skinner are the next men up, while Delarrin Turner-Yell remains on the practice squad.
Rookie corner Jahdae Barron has also seen some rotational work at safety, giving the team a bit of flexibility. But with Jones out, the Broncos may want to bolster that group-especially with a playoff run looming.
Let’s take a closer look at five veteran free agents who could make sense as insurance, even if it’s just a practice squad addition for now:
1. Jordan Whitehead (28)
Whitehead brings championship pedigree and ball-hawking ability with 11 career interceptions. He was off to a solid 2024 campaign with the Buccaneers before a car accident cut his season short.
Now recovered, he’s back on the radar-he even worked out for the Falcons earlier this year. If he’s physically ready, Whitehead could offer immediate veteran experience and playmaking upside.
2. John Johnson (29)
Johnson’s resume includes 15 career picks and plenty of starting experience, but he hasn’t seen the field in 2025 after serving a three-game suspension to start the season. That suspension is in the rearview now, and Johnson remains unsigned.
For a team like Denver, looking for depth and reliability, he could be worth a look if they’re confident in his readiness.
3. Vonn Bell (31)
Bell is a familiar name to head coach Sean Payton, who drafted him back in New Orleans. Bell played all 17 games for the Bengals last season, showing he can still handle a full workload.
He’s got eight career interceptions and a reputation as a physical, downhill safety-traits that could fit nicely in Denver’s defensive scheme, especially if they want someone who already understands Payton’s expectations.
4. Adrian Amos (32)
Amos hasn’t appeared in a regular-season game since 2023, but he was a full-time starter with the Packers as recently as 2022. He spent time on the 49ers’ practice squad last season, so he’s stayed connected to the league.
At this point in his career, Amos likely isn’t a long-term solution, but as a depth piece with starting experience, he’s worth keeping in mind.
5. Justin Simmons (32)
This one’s complicated. Simmons is a household name in Denver-a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro who was a cornerstone of the Broncos' secondary for years.
But after being released by Sean Payton in 2024, it’s unclear whether a reunion is in the cards. If the relationship can be mended, there’s no doubt Simmons could still contribute, especially in a playoff push.
The question is whether both sides are open to it.
With the postseason already secured, the Broncos are eyeing bigger goals: clinching the AFC West and locking down the No. 1 seed in the conference. That makes every roster decision from here on out even more critical.
P.J. Locke will get his shot to prove he can hold down the fort, but don’t be surprised if Denver adds a veteran presence to shore up the back end of the defense as the stakes continue to rise.