The Denver Broncos enter this year’s free agency period with ample cap space for the 2025 season. Additionally, they have plenty of space down the road. But will they make big splashes in free agency like they did in Head Coach Sean Payton’s first year with the team or will they be more measured like last offseason?

General Manager George Paton spoke about the importance of being measured in their free agency decisions at this year’s NFL Combine. Additionally, he reflected on some of the whiffs the team has endured in free agency. However, after a wildcard playoff berth and having quarterback Bo Nix on his rookie deal for the next few seasons, there are some who may believe the Broncos’ window to be aggressive begins now.

With that in mind, I asked the staff at Mile High Report if the Broncos should be aggressive or measured in free agency.

Most of us at Mile High Report advocate for a measured approach

Ross Allen

I’ll stick to a more measured approach. They have a decent amount of cap space but I’d rather that money be spent on a couple of extensions for players already here. But there is enough for one big signing and maybe a couple smaller ones. I’m talking about a Zack Baun or a Nick Bolton and then a vet receiver or a vet center.

Taylor Kothe

My thoughts are similar to what Ross said. At this point, of the arguable top 10 wide receivers available in free agency only 2 aren’t in their 30s. Both of those guys will be 29 before the season begins. The tight end and wide receiver free agent classes aren’t much better, especially considering the rich draft class in the pipeline.

So, if we make one big FA signing, I’d prefer to see it be for a defender and then see it followed up with several good value signings similar to last offseason. Use free agency primarily to reinforce our defense and then go offense-heavy in the draft to build for the long term around Nix.

Tim Lynch

We are not quite ready for the aggressive approach. I feel like you save that for a season you expect to be one of the best teams in the league. I think the Broncos are on the ascent, but still a young and inexperienced team. They are going to get better.

Mike DeCicco

Measured. Find scheme fits like Brandon Jones that can be had for a reasonable contract. We’re not one player away where a splashy move gets us over the top. Depth is the priority.

John Holmes

Extremely measured. I’d rather see money spent on extensions for Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen than big starter salary on free agents. The Broncos have, especially last year, needed to push a lot of salary into future cap years. Taking a year without aggression and trusting the young core to develop sets the team up for success both in 2025 and beyond.

Joe Mahoney

Fill the holes that you don’t think you can fill in the draft with mid-level FAs. Look for value more than the names.

Some advocated for being aggressive, but in varying degrees

Ian St. Clair

How about measured aggressiveness? What everyone else said I’m in agreement but be aggressive in the players the Broncos have identified as targets. Namely the in-house guys and then middle linebacker and safety, maybe receiver or tight end after that. On defense, guys like Nick Bolton and Jevon Holland. Extend your current players and get the guys you want, so measured aggressiveness.

Christopher Hart

I’d prioritize in-house extensions before being aggressive in this year’s market. It’s not a great core of talent. In an ideal world, they’re aggressive retaining top-end players like Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto on the defensive side of the ball. As far as the market goes, do what you can to add a starter at linebacker which they desperately need, a stop-gap defensive lineman, and a safety to compete alongside P.J. Locke. I kind of like Ian’s idea of measured aggressiveness. That’s a good line of thought!

Scotty Payne

Aggressive. Life is short and I could die tomorrow so go big or go home. You have a short window with Nix on a rookie contract, wealthy owners and a raising cap each and every year. Go big and fill some weaknesses

Adam Malnati

Aggressive—with a plan. No point in just spending money for spending’s sake. But if there is a player that fits what the team is doing, go for it. There are positions of need that can be filled in free agency. George Paton has done a very good job working with Sean Payton finding players that can get the Broncos another step closer to the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl.

As always, feel free to give your thoughts in the comments section. Also, don’t forget to vote in the poll! I’m interested to hear what Broncos Country has to say about this.

Republican representatives grilled Denver Mayor Mike Johnston during a six hour House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing about immigration policy on Wednesday in Washington, and the timing couldn’t have been worse for the Democratic leader of Colorado’s capital city.

Four days ago, immigration agents say the Denver Jail released Abraham Gonzalez, a suspected Venezuelan gang member charged with violent felonies. The jail was supposed to give federal agents 48 hours notice, but Rep. Jeff Crank, a Republican who represents Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, says they got one hour, and he says an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was injured during the capture of the 23-year-old.

The congressional committee wanted answers from Johnston and mayors of Boston, Chicago and New York, saying the cities’ policies of not handing over undocumented immigrants picked up for crimes are putting the public and police at risk.

The people who did most the talking during those six hours were committee members, not the mayors.

While the hearing was billed as an inquisition, it was more of a prosecution. Republicans accused the mayors of everything from failed leadership to treason.

Johnston often didn’t get to finish his statements in his testimony, and in some cases it was Colorado representatives doing the questioning.

“Mayor Johnston, is Denver a sanctuary city?” Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the committee’s chairman, asked.

“A lot of folks use that term … differently. I can tell you what Denver does. We do not…” Johnston replied.

“Okay, I’ll take that as a yes,” Comer interruped.

From the outset, Johnston was on the defense as the members peppered him with questions and in many cases didn’t even wait for his reply. That included the following exchange with Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican who represents Colorado’s 4th Congressional District.

“Thank you congresswoman. Let me…” Johnston said.

“Yes or no,” Boebert interruped.

 “Pardon,” Johnston said.

“Yes or no. Will you join me?”

“I do not believe the detainer law needs to be changed,” Johnston said. “I can tell you what Denver does right now.”

“Okay, so you don’t want them to coordinate with ICE,” Boebert interruped.

Crank was critical of how Johnson’s city dealt with the Gonzalez case.

“Have you apologized to the federal law enforcement agent who was assaulted by a Tren de Aragua gang member because of your failed leadership? Yes or no?” Crank asked Johnston.

“I reached out to the ICE officers yesterday and I’ve asked to sit down with them to talk about this procedure and how we can align system to make sure no other officers get injured,” he said.

Johnston says the city of Denver has made more than 1,200 similar releases with no problems.

The mayor defended his leadership in his opening remarks, saying as the city’s leader he has a duty to protect the health and safety of all people in the city, and that as a many of faith he says he has a moral obligation to care for those in need.

“The question Denver faced was, what will you do with a mom and two kids dropped on the streets of our city with no warm clothes, no food, and no place to stay?” he said.

He told the committee Denver follows all state and federal laws and despite the massive influx of migrants over the last two years, crime is down.

Rep. Gabe Evans, a Republican who represents Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, says the city still ranks as the tenth most dangerous and because it doesn’t ask inmates their immigration status — which Evans says is required on FBI fingerprint cards — there’s no way of knowing if migrants are driving crime.

“So not filling out the FBI fingerprint card, which would directly contradict your statement that you want people who are illegally present in the country and committing crimes to be held to account for those crimes.”

Boebert says Denver’s policies are also impacting the neighboring city of Aurora.

“You were shipping illegal aliens to Aurora. Their crime was increasing while you were hiding under laws that you will not demand be repealed,” she said.

Johnston says state and local laws aren’t the problem, Congress is.

“If Denver can find a way to put aside our ideological differences long enough to manage a crisis we didn’t choose or create, it seems only fair to ask that the body that is actually charged with solving this national problem, this congress, can finally commit to do the same,” he said.

Johnston said after the hearing that his goal was to explain why Denver isn’t a sanctuary city and shouldn’t lose federal funding. The city paid a DC law firm up to $2 million to ensure his success, but he says committee members seemed to have their minds made up.

In addition to withholding funding, some Republicans are asking the justice department to investigate the mayors for harboring criminals. Johnston says he’s not worried. Under the law, he would have had to shield the migrants from federal agents — which he didn’t — and he says if Republicans try to withhold funding, the city will sue.

After a disappointing loss against the Boston Celtics, the Denver Nuggets have a chance to push themselves back toward the second seed against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

Currently, Denver is dealing with a plethora of injuries, but the situation seems to be getting worse. They may be entering Wednesday’s game against the Kings without their most important player.

The Denver Nuggets listed Nikola Jokic as questionable against the Sacramento Kings due to left ankle inflammation.

It’s been very rare for Jokic to miss basketball games throughout the majority of his career, including this season; Jokic has played in 55 out of 61 total games this season. Through those 55 games, Jokic is averaging 28.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.4 assists, and 1.8 steals on 58/44/82 shooting from the field.

What Jokic is doing this season is arguably better than anything he’s done during his three MVP seasons. However, as long as the Oklahoma City Thunder are the first seed, it feels like it’s a safe bet to predict Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the 2025 NBA MVP.

Whether or not Jokic plays, the Nuggets have to take the Sacramento Kings very seriously. The Kings are currently on a four-game winning streak and have found newfound life after trading for Zach LaVine. The Nuggets currently have a 2-0 regular season series lead over the Kings.

The Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings face off at 9:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday.

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