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.
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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.