NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.
Denver, CO
Denver’s Underground Music Showcase moves to RiNo; “It’s sort of the perfect marriage”
After more than two decades on South Broadway, one of Denver’s most popular music festivals is moving across town.
The Underground Music Showcase will return this summer in the RiNo arts district, backed by a new financial partner and a plan to grow beyond music while keeping its community feel.
For more than 20 years, the Underground Music Showcase has been a staple of Denver’s live music scene, drawing thousands to South Broadway for a weekend of local and national acts.
“It’s been going for 26 years, so it’s kind of bigger than any one person at this point,” said Keanan Stoner, festival director.
Stoner said the future of the festival was uncertain after last year. Organizers needed a sustainable financial path forward to ensure it could continue.
“It was bittersweet leaving Broadway, and ultimately it just came down to we needed to find a path forward,” Stoner said. “The BID approached us and obviously, provided a lot of financial support as well as connections, which made it possible to continue it.”
That partner is the RiNo Business Improvement District, which is purchasing a 50% stake in the festival and committing support for the next three years.
Organizers say the move to RiNo will allow the festival to expand its footprint, activate more venues and public spaces, and increase its economic impact.
“We hope that the feeling and the vibe of the festival really remains similar to years past, but it’s obviously an all-new district, a larger district, and a lot of new spaces to put stages in live music,” Stoner said.
Terry Madeksza, executive director of the RiNo Business Improvement District, said the neighborhood’s creative identity makes it a natural fit.
“RiNo is known as a neighborhood with creative thinking, with creative artists,” Madeksza said. “We have venues, we have businesses. So I think live music, I think energy, I think the opportunity to interact and create these unique experiences with UMS and RiNo, it’s sort of the perfect marriage.”
Leaders say they envision the showcase as a recurring signature event that activates the neighborhood while supporting local artists and businesses.
“What we’re really excited to do is not only showcase great, creative public spaces, but to bring thousands and thousands of people into the district to show them what’s going on and to get them into the businesses, where they can become reacquainted with or experience a new business for the first time,” Madeksza said.
Organizers plan to finalize and sign the purchase agreement during the board meeting Wednesday.
The three-day event is scheduled for July 24 through July 26, the last weekend of July. Ticket presales are expected to launch in the coming weeks, followed by venue announcements and artist lineup details ahead of the festival.
Denver, CO
Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense
I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.
Broncos top FA needs on offense
Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.
I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.
Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.
Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.
Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.
Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.
Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.
Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).
There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.
Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.
Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.
Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.
The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.
Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.
Denver, CO
Denver area events for March 5
Denver, CO
Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back
The Denver Broncos are in the market for a running back.
Just two days after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Denver wants to have the running back position addressed before the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the Broncos are “poised to make a splash” at running back during NFL free agency.
“Denver is the reason why the Jets used the franchise tag on Breece Hall rather than the transition tag, according to sources, making sure Denver wouldn’t get the opportunity to put together an offer the Jets would refuse to match,” Jones wrote for CBS Sports.
Jones said the Broncos would be an obvious potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker, and he noted that Travis Etienne could be a cheaper alternative. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider also reported this week that Denver is expected to “closely examine” the RB market, and he name-dropped Walker, Etienne and Rico Dowdle.
The Broncos also have an in-house free agent at RB in J.K. Dobbins, who has expressed his desire to remain in Denver. The Broncos can begin negotiating with pending free agents from other clubs on March 9, but no deals can become official until the new league year begins on March 11. In-house free agents can be re-signed at any time.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
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