The Denver Broncos have an exciting 2025 season on the forefront, having put together a top-notch roster after qualifying for the playoffs last year. But the offseason could be tough for the team to navigate with several key players set to hit free agency.
The team won't be able to re-sign everyone as is the case for pretty much every team in the league each season. So as the Broncos push towards being in the mix to contend for a Super Bowl again, they will have to make some tough decisions.
Before looking into which players will need to step up this coming season, here is a look at the players on the current roster who are set to be free agents at season's end.
Broncos 2026 free agents
Zach Allen, DL
Courtland Sutton, WR
Nik Bonitto, OLB
John Franklin-Myers, DL
Sam Ehlinger, QB
Michael Burton, FB
Adam Trautman, TE
Luke Wattenberg, C
Alex Singleton, LB
Calvin Throckmorton, OL
Justin Strnad, LB
Malcolm Roach, DL
P.J. Locke, S
Sam Martin Jr., S
Delarrin Turner-Yell, S
Damarri Mathis, CB
Zach Triner, LS
Wil Lutz, K
Bold prediction
The Broncos will give extensions to Courtland Sutton and Zach Allen
Both of these players would be on the list we're about to get into, but the Broncos should take care of them before that is necessary. The Broncos would be wise to sign both Sutton and Allen to extensions either during the season or before it even starts. They'll realize this, and make that decision.
Broncos players who must step in contract year of 2025
Nik Bonitto
The Broncos should do all that they can to keep Bonitto in the fold after the breakout season he had in 2024. The problem is, they only have so much money to give out. If Bonitto has another season like he did last year, he will be in line for a huge payday.
The Broncos will want to keep him, but another team might be able to offer more.
John Franklin-Myers
The Broncos traded into the third round to select Sai'vion Jones out of LSU and that pick signified that the Broncos know they might not be able to keep John Franklin-Myers no matter what kind of season he has.
He was terrific for the team last year and will need to repeat that performance, but could still be looking for a new team next year as a victim of the numbers game.
Alex Singleton
Singleton has been a tackling machine for the Broncos but an ACL injury cost him most of last season and the Broncos have Justin Strnad for insurance and Drew Sanders waiting in the wings.
Singleton will be 32 next season, so he'll need a big year to convince the front office that not only has he recovered from that injury, but that he still belongs in a key spot on the defense.
Wil Lutz
The Broncos made no attempt to re-sign punter Riley Dixon this offseason and drafted his replacement in the sixth round. Though Sean Payton has a history with Lutz going back to their days in New Orleans, the head coach has proven that he is willing to shake things up at the kicker spots, having also cut Brandon McManus early in his Denver tenure.
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