The Denver Broncos are focused on the upcoming NFL season and creating the best roster possible, but the league’s best teams always have an eye on the future and building the best future roster that they can.
For the Broncos, there are several key players set to become free agents at season’s end. The goal will be to get some of those players re-signed before that happens, but realistically, they won’t be able to bring them all back. The top four players set to hit free agency in 2026 for the Broncos are:
Courtland Sutton
Zach Allen
John Franklin-Myers
Nik Bonitto
Matt Holder of Bleacher Report recently put together a list of six players who should be given new contracts before training camp, and two of those players come from the same team… the Broncos. Holder lists Sutton and Allen as players the Broncos should extend as soon as possible.
Zach Allen played at a Pro Bowl level last season but will be the more expensive player to re-sign between him and Franklin-Myers. The Broncos traded back into the third round in the draft to select Sai’vion Jones, no doubt with this situation in mind.
“The organization could be deciding between extending Franklin-Myers and Allen since both players’ contracts are up at the end of the year.
But the latter is the superior defensive lineman and a year younger, turning just 28 years old in August. Meanwhile, Sai’vion Jones is likely the long-term replacement option for whichever of the two starters doesn’t receive an extension.
As for D.J. Jones and Roach, they’re role players who shouldn’t stand in the way of Allen getting a new deal”, wrote Holder.
In regards to Sutton, the subject of constant trade talks, should be re-signed as he is the most experienced wide receiver on the roster by far.
“It’s pretty clear that Sutton is the No. 1 receiver in Denver. Not only did the figures above all lead the team in 2024, but his receptions and yardage numbers were double what any other wide receiver produced. Mims ranked second with 503 yards and six touchdowns, while Vele was next up in receptions with 41.
With that significant of a drop-off, the front office would be wise to lock up the offense’s top pass catcher for the foreseeable future”, wrote Holder.
It’s hard to argue any of those points and the Broncos should make every attempt to bring back Sutton and Allen. However, we can’t forget the recent assessment that identified Bonitto as the player the Broncos should prioritize first this offseason, and there is a good argument that it would be the correct approach.
How possible is it that the Broncos can retain all of these players? It could mean that the Broncos would have to turn away most or all of their other in-house free agents, a list that includes Justin Strnad, Wil Lutz, Alex Singleton and Damarri Mathis, among others.
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