Looking way ahead to the 2024 season, which players currently on the Denver Broncos will not be back when 2024 rolls around? The Denver Broncos do not have a ton of big-name free agents at the end of the 2023 season.
They should be in a decent spot come the 2024 offseason, which may allow them to be more aggressive in continuing to improve the roster. There are a few players, though, who will be with the team in 2023 but to me, won't be on the Denver Broncos come the 2024 season.
Who are they?
Denver Broncos who won't be back with the team in 2024
Tim Patrick, WR
Tim Patrick tore his ACL last offseason and missed all of the 2022 season. Now, though, he's ready to go and should be 100% for week one, which is awesome. It's clear how much he was missed in the lineup in 2022.
Patrick unfortunately is entering his age-30 season, so he's starting to get up there in age. He's also under contract through the 2024 season, so the Broncos have two years of control left with him. However, I think 2023 may be his last year with the team.
Contractually, the Broncos could save nearly $10 million if they cut Tim Patrick next offseason. With offseason wide receiver additions of Marvin Mims Jr and Marquez Callaway, and a potential Jerry Jeudy extension looming, Patrick could be the odd man out.
Denver Broncos who won't be back with the team in 2024
Josey Jewell, LB
Josey Jewell is entering the last year of a small contract extension he signed with the Denver Broncos last year. He will be a free agent at the end of the 2023 season. Denver also extended Alex Singleton this offseason for three years, so his contract won't be toyed with for at least two years.
The team also drafted inside linebacker Drew Sanders in the 2023 NFL Draft. If the team doesn't part with Jewell this offseason, they'll simply let him leave in free agency next offseason as the Broncos' ILBs move forward with Alex Singleton and Drew Sanders as the two starters.
Jewell has struggled with injuries but made a lethal duo with Singleton in 2022. He's an instinctual linebacker with a great feel for the game. He's also a great run defender but may be the odd man out next year.
Denver Broncos who won't be back with the team in 2024
Randy Gregory, EDGE
I am not banking on Randy Gregory playing well enough to warrant him staying on the team past this year, unfortunately. He played in just six games in 2022 and notched 2.0 sacks. He's got all the potential in the world but obviously has never been able to consistently stay on the field.
A post-June 1st cut next year saves the Denver Broncos a whopping $14 million on their cap number. This may be an obvious move that could be one of the first decisions they make in 2024. Unless Gregory plays at a near Pro Bowl level, the Broncos have likely already made the decision to move on from him next year.
He and Baron Browning are the two projected starters at EDGE this year. Gregory and Browning form an incredibly low floor/high ceiling unit. Hopefully we see the high ceiling part of them. I also wouldn't be surprised if Denver adds at EDGE this offseason and prioritizes is next offseason.