The Denver Broncos have been in the news a lot already in the 2024 offseason. With NFL Free Agency kicking off its legal negotiating period on March 11 and the new league year starting on March 13, it's clear that the Broncos are going to be one of the most different-looking teams in the league this coming season.
With Russell Wilson leaving Denver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Broncos will be in the market this offseason for at least one new quarterback, and maybe more likely a couple of them (one in free agency, one in the NFL Draft). The Broncos have made huge moves to let go of safety Justin Simmons and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
What are the Denver Broncos going to do as they rebuild the roster in the post-Russell Wilson era?
Denver Broncos Free Agent Signings
- OT Matt Peart (1 year) - The Broncos let veteran swing tackle Cam Fleming walk in NFL free agency, and they've seemingly replaced him with former Giants third-round pick Matt Peart. Peart started 7 games in New York and appeared in 43 games over the last four seasons.
- LB Cody Barton (1 year, up to $4M) - After losing Josey Jewell to the Carolina Panthers, the Broncos had to find some kind of replacement and they did just that by bringing in five-year pro Cody Barton, a former third-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks. Barton has racked up over 250 total tackles the last two seasons.
- DL Malcolm Roach (2 years, up to $8M) - The Broncos needed to upgrade run defense in this year's free agency cycle, and they identified the 25-year-old Roach as a fit to do just that. He had 23 run stops on just 290 total snaps, 139 run snaps last season. They are banking on him maintaining this efficiency with increased snaps, it appears.
- SAF Brandon Jones (3 years, $20M, $12.5M guaranteed) - The first outside free agent the Broncos signed in 2024 is safety Brandon Jones, a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins out of Texas. He joins fellow former Texas Longhorns teammates PJ Locke and Caden Sterns in Denver at the safety position as the team looks to replace Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson.
Re-signed free agents
- LB Justin Strnad (1 year) - The Broncos poached a second of their own free agents from signing with another team. It was reported that special teams ace Justin Strnad would be signing with the Carolina Panthers, reuniting with Ejiro Evero, but the Broncos pulled him back on a one-year deal and keep continuity on special teams.
- WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey (1 year) - Humphrey is thought to be the best blocking receiver on the Denver Broncos and caught three touchdown passes last season. He might have some underrated ability as a receiver if he can get more involvement, which may be coming this season.
- TE Adam Trautman (2 years) - The Broncos brought back their top tight end from last season, a player who has spent his entire NFL career with Sean Payton and the staff in Denver. Trautman is a well-rounded player a the position who had 22 catches and 3 touchdowns in 2023.
- FB Michael Burton (1 year) - The Denver Broncos are one of the few NFL teams keeping the traditional fullback position alive in today's game. Michael Burton is valuable not only to the offense but also special teams.
- K Wil Lutz (2 years) - After it was initially reported that kicker Wil Lutz signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year deal, he pulled out of that agreement and re-signed with Denver. Thankfully, the Broncos aren't looking for a kicker again this offseason.
- WR Tim Patrick (1 year, $1.295M) - Tim Patrick re-signed with the Denver Broncos on a renewed one-year contract. The Broncos and Patrick essentially ripped up the final year of a three-year, $34 million deal he signed in November 2021. This move saved the Broncos around $8 million in salary cap space.
- SAF PJ Locke (2 years, $7M) - The Broncos rewarded in-house free agent PJ Locke with a two-year deal worth $7 million and Locke will be penciled in as one of the starting safeties for Denver in 2024, perhaps alongside Caden Sterns. Locke had a breakout year for Denver in 2023 and the Broncos have moved on from both Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons.
- LB Jonas Griffith (1 year, $985K) - The Broncos re-signed linebacker Jonas Griffith, who is coming off of a torn ACL this past year. Griffith will compete to be a special teams regular as well as possibly start at off-ball linebacker depending on what else the Broncos do.
- OL Quinn Bailey (1 year, $1.055M) - Quinn Bailey was the extra reporting eligible offensive lineman for the Broncos all last season. He gets a deal to come back for another year and compete for a rotational spot.
Broncos FAs who signed with other teams
- QB Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers; 1 year, $1.21M) - Russell Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers to compete with Kenny Pickett as their 2024 starter. It's assumed Wilson will win that job in Pittsburgh, sticking the Broncos with a $37.79M bill for him to play with someone else. The Steelers only committing one year and the veteran minimum to Wilson with no options for 2025 is telling.
- C Lloyd Cushenberry III (Tennessee Titans; 4 years, $50M) - Cushenberry was one of the first interior offensive linemen off the board in a loaded free agency class, at least in terms of what we're seeing guys get paid. Cushenberry's departure means the Broncos will be looking at young players Alex Forsyth and Luke Wattenberg as potential starters in 2024.
- LB Josey Jewell (Carolina Panthers; 3 years, $22.75M) - Josey Jewell bolts from Denver and reunites with old pal Ejiro Evero, the defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers. After spending his first six NFL seasons in Denver, Jewell finally leaves for greener pastures. Alex Singleton may be the most upset by this move.
- DL Jonathan Harris (Miami Dolphins; 1 year) - The Miami Dolphins desperately needed to add bodies to the defensive line this offseason and they are going budget-friendly by signing former Broncos starter Jonathan Harris to a one-year deal.
- TE Chris Manhertz (New York Giants; 1 year) - The New York Giants signed Manhertz, known for his blocking skills, to a one-year contract. Manhertz grew up in the Bronx, so this is a homecoming of sorts for him.
Broncos trades in 2024
- WR Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland Browns - The Broncos traded Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland in exchange for 5th and 6th-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Broncos also freed up $13 million in salary cap space with this trade.
Broncos unsigned free agents
- SAF Justin Simmons
- CB K'Waun Williams
- DL Mike Purcell
- CB Fabian Moreau
- OL Cam Fleming