Just ahead of their preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings, the Denver Broncos made a flurry of roster moves with one notable -- and rather shocking -- surprise. The team cut veteran safety Taylor Rapp, who had just signed a handful of days earlier.
The addition of Rapp was also somewhat unexpected, but a pleasant surprise as the Broncos lost a key depth piece at the safety position in PJ Locke this offseason. Rapp has played -- and started -- a lot of games for some really good Bills and Rams teams in recent years, and brought some important veteran experience to the secondary.
Even just having him on the roster made it feel like the Broncos had strengthened a strength, but the timing apparently wasn't quite right. Sean Payton made a note after the team's final practice ahead of the preseason finale that Rapp needed to take care of some things personally, but he also left the door open for his eventual return.
Denver Broncos HC Sean Payton leaves the door open for Taylor Rapp to return soon
Here is what Payton had to say as he opened his media availability:
"Taylor Rapp came in, [I] spent some time with him. He needs a little time at home and completely get what he’s needing and there’s a good chance, better than good chance that… I know how he felt being here. So I think sooner than later that’s going to happen, but this obviously took precedence, so just leave it at that.”
- Sean Payton (via Broncos PR)
It seems like it will just be a matter of time before Rapp is back on the team in some capacity. The Broncos might have already been planning on having him as a veteran option on the practice squad until he gets up to speed on the defense, anyway.
Rapp, like all vested veterans, is not subject to waivers. NFL teams can keep up to six vested veterans on their practice squads, so the Broncos could save a roster spot at initial cuts by having Rapp among their 16-player practice squad.
It's a tactic they have used plenty of times in the past with players like Michael Burton, Adam Prentice, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Calvin Throckmorton, and others. Rapp would be an ideal candidate for that, especially because he's new to the defensive scheme.
And here's what Payton said they liked about him enough to bring him on in the first place:
"We’ve played against him, he’s smart, which is a great trait to have as a safety. He’s a good tackler, he can play down over the slot, he’s got versatility and this came up and it was something that obviously [we] needed to address.”
- Sean Payton
The Broncos have to cut down their roster from 90 players to 53 by Sunday, August 30. They've already replaced Rapp's spot on the 90-man roster so they can have more players available at other positions for the final preseason game, but his status with the team for the 2026 season remains optimistic.
Based on what Sean Payton has said, it feels like it's only a matter of time before we see Rapp back with the Broncos in some capacity, and that's exciting news for the team's depth at the safety position.
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