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What Denver Broncos should do with each of their upcoming free agents

By Travis Wakeman

Oct 13, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson (45) enters the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson (45) enters the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 21: Case Keenum #5 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball against Bryce Callahan #29 of the Denver Broncos during a game at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 21, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos have a full slate of free agents to make decisions on before the 2022 season kicks off. 

When the new league year opens, the Denver Broncos have a host of players set to hit the open market. The team has already hired a new coach in Nathaniel Hackett and plenty of other offseason changes are in store, including likely new ownership.

For general manager George Paton, as he simultaneously builds his board for April’s draft, he must also decide what to do about some key free agents that could be looking for bigger contracts or more playing time elsewhere next season.

Here, I will look at the players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents only. There are 17 such players. Looking at how the team is shaping up for the 2022 season, a decision will then be made on what Paton should do with each of these players, whether it be making a play to bring them back or letting them find employment elsewhere.

Denver Broncos free agents: Teddy Bridgewater

Denver Broncos
Dec 12, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) passes the ball in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Broncos fans are likely going to be fine with the idea of the 2021 season being Teddy Bridgewater’s only season in Denver, but this one may not be as much of a slam dunk as it seems.

It really all depends on what the team is planning on doing in terms of a starting quarterback.

If the Broncos were to make a trade for someone like Aaron Rodgers, then there is no reason to bring Bridgewater back. At that point, Drew Lock or a rookie taken in the draft could be the QB2 behind A-Rod.

However, if a deal like that can’t be made and the Broncos decide to roll with Lock as the starter in 2022, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to re-sign Bridgewater to another one-year deal as Lock’s backup, like he should have been all along.

Bridgewater understands the game well and can be a good mentor. He and Lock also seem to have a good working relationship.

However, with potential vacancies in places like Tampa Bay and New Orleans, Bridgewater could get one more crack at being a starting quarterback in the league and would likely prefer that. Under most circumstances, it seems best to move on from Teddy.

Decision: Move on

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