The Denver Broncos have truly impressed during their 2025 campaign. With five games remaining in the regular season, to be going for their eleventh win certainly wasn’t something I had predicted. Nobody knows how the rest of the season will turn out, but I believe Denver’s success thus far gives them a lot of flexibility relative to how they approach roster building this spring.
Denver, CO
Future Broncos: Is Denver poised to make a big swing next spring?
When glossing over the Broncos roster, there aren’t many significant needs. The front office has done a tremendous job drafting and developing talent in recent years. Most importantly, they have rewarded a variety of homegrown players with contract extensions.
The foundations of the team, Denver’s offensive and defensive trenches, are phenomenally strong. Most every starter at those position groups will return for 2026. The exceptions being John Franklin-Myers who will likely cash in during free agency, as well as Ben Powers being a potential cap casualty at left guard.
Even with the most recent round of extensions, the Broncos have an ample amount of cap space next year due to the way they structured the new deals for Wil Lutz, Malcolm Roach, and Luke Wattenberg. With 41 players already currently under contract, it’s estimated they have nearly $40 million in space. You can shave off some of that due to the retention of key E/RFAs like Ja’Quan McMillian and Alex Palczewski.
Even so, Denver has the financial ability to make a big splash or two if they so choose. And why not? It’s a perk of having a quarterback on a rookie deal. If competing for Super Bowl’s is the goal, I fully expect the Broncos to be aggressive this offseason. Let’s talk about a few ways they could go about that.
Splash #1: Investing at inside linebacker and running back in free agency
At inside linebacker, Dre Greenlaw will return in ‘26 however both Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are free agents. It’s quite possible the Broncos opt to retain one of them for continuity purposes. However, if Vance Joseph winds up earning a head coaching gig, a new defensive play caller may be interested in going another direction.
The ‘26 free agency class at inside linebacker appears to be strong. That’s good for Denver. Players like Quay Walker, Leo Chenal, Demario Davis, Devin Lloyd, Devin Bush, Kaden Elliss, and Quincy Williams are slated to be looking for new teams this offseason. It’s certainly an area I think the team could make a big investment in—if they so choose. Though it may be an area Denver could look at in the draft due to it being an exceptional class at the position.
Outside of inside linebacker, upgrading the running back position during free agency seems likely. Having a top-notch rushing attack is a must in order to compete in the playoffs and help take pressure off of Bo Nix. Could the Broncos opt to bring back J.K. Dobbins? Certainly. Though I’d like to see them be aggressive and come away with one of the top backs on the market.
Players like Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, Tyler Allgeier, and Brian Robinson are set to be available. There are folks who would say spending big in free agency at running back is a bad idea. I understand where they are coming from. Though imagine the stability one of the aforementioned backs would provide for the offense. We have seen the running game struggle after Dobbins got hurt. And in order to play well late in the season and beyond, having a strong rushing attack is extremely important.
Splash #2: Adding an X-Factor on offense via trade
Each and every offseason, some sort of blockbuster trade nobody expected transpires in the National Football League. We saw that earlier this year when the Dallas Cowboys traded away Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for Kenny Clark and handful of early draft selections.
If things continue to go badly in Minnesota, could star wide receiver Justin Jefferson potentially be on the market? I have my doubts that GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would want to trade away such a prolific player. But if they continue to struggle at quarterback, perhaps Jefferson winds up asking for a trade. Stranger things have happened.
I’m not saying it’s likely. Though it wouldn’t hurt to check in about his availability or other big playmakers at the position. Denver was reportedly interested and asking around on wide receivers at this year’s trade deadline. With that in mind, it seems likely for them reconsider that during the offseason.
Splash #3: Navigating a big move up the draft board for a premier prospect
Internal discussions and player evaluations at season’s end will play a huge role in how the Broncos wind up concocting their offseason blueprint. Based on their success thus far, Denver is scheduled to be picking quite late once April rolls around. Likely too late to add a Day 1 difference maker capable of making big waves as a rookie.
Given the strength of Denver’s roster, they could also make a splash moving up in the draft for a premier prospect. The college football playoffs and bowl games will happen in the coming weeks. The Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine aren’t too far off either. It’ll truly be draft season before you know it.
Standing pat and let the board fall to them is always an option. GM George Paton has had success doing that with a handful of picks over the years. Nevertheless, if they wind up falling in love with a handful of prospects in the draft making a huge move up the board is also a potentiality for the team. Denver always seems to like to wheel and deal during the draft and I don’t think this year will be any different.
What do you think Broncos Country?
Do you feel the Broncos are poised to make some big splashes this offseason? What would be your ideal blueprint to improve the franchise based on what you have seen thus far? Let me know in the comments section.
Denver, CO
Captured: Men’s Tennis struggles to defeat Denver 4-3 Captured: Men’s Tennis defeats Denver 4-3
Welcome to The Daily’s photo blog: Captured. This is a space for The Daily’s photographers to share their best work, including photos from weekend performances and events around the community. You can contact the photo editor by emailing [email protected].
Coming off a loss to Notre Dame on Friday, Northwestern struggled to defeat Denver, ending the day with a score of 4-3. Freshman Cooper Han secured the win for the ’Cats in a match that went to three sets. The next matchup for the ’Cats is next Saturday against UIC.
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Related Stories:
— Men’s Tennis: Northwestern sweeps sets in home doubleheader wins against Illinois State, Marquette
— Men’s Tennis: No stopping Pate and company in 4-2 win over Memphis
— Men’s Tennis: Northwestern’s strong early-season play leads to seven game win streak
Denver, CO
Nuggets vs. Warriors Injury Report Reveals Steph Curry’s Status
The Denver Nuggets are coming off their most dominant regular season win in franchise history, beating the Portland Trail Blazers by 54 points on Friday night. Now, they are heading into a challenging matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, but the recent dynasty will be missing some star power.
The Nuggets have been one of the most banged-up teams in the league this season, but one positive is that there is optimism they will be fully healthy for the playoffs. A team like the Warriors, on the other hand, has to deal with a season-ending injury to six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, casting a feeling of doubt on the rest of their 2025-26 campaign.
Nuggets could be without Jamal Murray vs. Warriors
The Nuggets know they will be without standout forwards Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson for the coming weeks, but they have also ruled out backup guard Jalen Pickett for Sunday’s game, while listing Jamal Murray as questionable. The Nuggets’ full injury report:
Jamal Murray – QUESTIONABLE (right hamstring tightness)
Aaron Gordon – OUT (right hamstring strain)
Peyton Watson – OUT (right hamstring strain)
Jalen Pickett – OUT (right knee soreness)
Murray was also listed as questionable heading into Friday’s game in Portland, but ultimately suited up and contributed 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists on 6-12 shooting from beyond the arc in their blowout win.
The Nuggets were on a cold streak heading into their historic win on Friday, losing five of their previous seven games, but a win in San Francisco on Sunday would certainly help them build some much-needed momentum.
Warriors rule out Steph Curry vs. Nuggets
The Warriors have been without superstar point guard Steph Curry since late January, and he is now set to miss his seventh straight game on Sunday. Curry typically gives the Nuggets some fits, as he erupted for 42 points in a Warriors win against Denver earlier in the season.
With Curry and Butler both sidelined, the Warriors will be missing some beloved star power, and Kristaps Porzingis is also going into Sunday’s game with an injury designation. The Warriors’ full injury report:
Kristaps Porzingis – PROBABLE (left Achilles tendon injury management)
Jimmy Butler – OUT (right ACL surgery)
Seth Curry – OUT (left sciatic nerve irritation)
Steph Curry – OUT (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)
The Warriors are just 6-11 through 17 games without Curry this season and 3-9 without both Curry and Butler. Golden State could be in trouble against this Nuggets team coming off a dominant win, especially while the Warriors are on a cold streak of their own, losing their last two games and five of their last seven.
The Nuggets undoubtedly have a leg up on the Warriors for Sunday’s matchup, although Murray’s final status could certainly change things. If both teams are missing their All-Star point guard, it would somewhat even the field, although Denver’s three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is the ultimate decider.
The Nuggets and Warriors are set to tip off in San Francisco at 1:30 p.m. MT, available to watch on ABC.
Denver, CO
Keeler: Why Pomona’s Colorado state wrestling dynasty is ‘not going anywhere’
If you want to be Pomona, you’re going to have to join them.
“I know people get tired of (certain teams) winning all the time,” former Ponderosa wrestling coach Tim Ottmann told me late Saturday afternoon as Pomona’s Panthers inched ever closer to a Colorado-record eighth straight state wrestling title at Ball Arena.
“But you also have to wonder why. And I think it’s important for those that are (trying) to dethrone him to find out what (coach Sam Federico) does and how he does it. And then be able to to build what he’s built.”
Ottmann, a 2022 CHSAA Hall of Fame inductee, knows the formula inside out because he lived it. His Mustangs were Colorado’s last big-school wrestling dynasty, with Ottmann in charge for six of what turned into eight straight state crowns from 2003-10.
“I don’t see (Pomona’s run) ending anytime soon,” Ottmann continued. “When I talked to Sam a few months ago, he said this was his best team that he’s had, and it’s his eighth (state champion) in a row.
“They’re not going anywhere. I think it’s good (for the state). I don’t have any issues with it. It’s a call to others to maybe step it up a little bit and figure out how he does it.”
The bigger the tree, the longer the roots. Feeder programs. Coaching consistency. Rinse. Repeat, en route to the Panthers breaking their own state meet points record on Saturday at Ball Arena.
“Eight for me is (just) a number,” Federico told me Saturday before the finals. “Our goal is to get as many state champs as we can, every year. It’s an individual sport. We want to win championships at the end of the day. It’s hard. When they get second, it’s not fun. It’s a rollercoaster as a coach.”
Yeah, but what a ride. The Panthers are the Front Range’s gold standard, its barometer and benchmark. If you can hang with them, you can hang with anybody. What’s impressed Ottmann the most about Pomona’s current run is the degree to which the Panthers have followed Ponderosa’s two core pillars from a generation ago.
“I’ve been retired since 2008 and (Federico is) doing the things that we did,” the former Mustangs coach said.
“And we talked actually quite a bit about ups and downs and that kind of thing, picking my brain on longevity and how you stay focused and how you keep having the energy to do that.”
Ottmann’s advice?
• Keep that pipeline of kids coming. Plant those seeds.
“When you’ve got four or five freshmen coming into your program every year, you don’t get hurt by the three or four seniors that graduate,” the former Mustangs coach noted. “So you’re always maintaining that quality. What (Federico) does is what we did. His program feeds only Pomona. And he works at it. Other programs may farm that out, or combine it with other schools. I don’t believe in that. I believe in doing it yourself.”
• Once you’ve found lieutenants on your staff, assistant coaches and teachers who complement your skills and parrot your mantra, lock them the heck down.
“The biggest thing to me is just outstanding assistant coaches,” Ottmann stressed. “I know Sam’s the same way. He’s had assistants (stay) with him for a long time. That consistency means everything.”
• Don’t be afraid to test yourself against the big boys in other states. Ottmann took Ponderosa to Minnesota, Ohio and Pennsylvania, letting iron sharpen iron.
“It increases your levels here,” Ottmann explained.
Federico’s walking on rare air, indeed. Cherry Creek’s boys and girls tennis teams once put up state-title streaks of 19 straight each. Fort Collins High won 16 consecutive boys state track titles on either side of World War I. Cheyenne Mountain boys tennis notched 11 straight crowns. Limon and Sedgwick County currently share the state record for consecutive football titles, with six apiece. (Valor Christian won four in a row from 2009-13; Cherry Creek did the same from 2019-2022.)
Merino and Faith Christian won five straight crowns in boys’ basketball; Broomfield notched five in a row in girls basketball. Evergreen won eight straight volleyball titles from 1978-85. TCA won nine straight girls cross-country crowns.
“It’s extremely difficult to win one, much less two or three, right?” Ottmann noted. “There’s just a lot of things that have to fall into place.”
And not just fall there. Stay there. Constancy isn’t a bug at Pomona — it’s a feature. Federico is the Panthers’ third wrestling coach over the last five decades. Its youth program is widely regarded as among the best in the state, the backbone of a grappling empire.
“It always has been,” Federico said. “I made sure of that. You have to have it.”
It’s like that old NFL adage: When you see something that works, copy the living heck out of it. Cherokee Trail coach Jeff Buck beefed up his feeder program, the Junior Cougars, in order to solidify his program’s standing as a perennial 5A contender.
“Pomona’s youth program … that’s a huge part of their program and many programs,” Buck said. “Success breeds success, and winning, and kids want to wrestle for (Federico) because of the program he’s built.
“(It’s) not something that Sam hides. He’ll let anybody practice with them. When Pomona’s good, they’re making the state look good. I don’t think it’s bad at all.”
Fair enough. Dissecting a beauty is one thing. But how do you dethrone a beast?
“I know Sam is probably close to retirement in a couple years,” Ottmann said. “A new coach always presents a challenge (as far as) keeping it going … you have programs such as Grandview and Ponderosa, to an extent, and others that are challenging them. But their program is just so much better than anybody else’s, currently.”
After this weekend, it wasn’t hard to see why.
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