NFL Restructures: Broncos, Bosa, Burns, Granderson, Tranquill
Teams around the NFL have been engaging in their usual financial gymnastics to create enough cap space to sign new players – or for some – simply retain the ones already under contract.
The Broncos restructured Quinn Meinerz‘s deal earlier in the week to ensure they were compliant with the 2026 salary cap by the start of the new league year on Wednesday. But with more than a dozen signings – including multi-year pacts with Alex Singleton, J.K. Dobbins, and Adam Trautman, plus a second-round restricted free agent tag signed by Ja’Quan McMillian – Denver needed to free up more cap space.
To do so, they completed a restructure of outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper‘s contract, per Luca Evans of the Denver Post. His salary was reduced to the veteran minimum with $10.2MM converted into a signing bonus that was prorated across the remaining five years of the contract, which includes two added void years. Cooper’s 2026 cap hit dropped by $8.2MM to $5.78MM as a result, with $17.55MM cap hits now scheduled for 2027 and 2028, per OverTheCap.
The Broncos also altered the contract of guard Ben Powers. He was set to earn a $500k roster bonus on Sunday, but that has instead been moved into his base salary for the season, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.
Powers was viewed as a potential cap casualty entering the final year of his deal, but the team affirmed their commitment to him before free agency. However, this move – pushing a financial obligation months into the future – indicates that Denver may still be open to moving on the seven-year veteran after re-signing Alex Palczewski at the beginning of the month.
Here are some other recent restructures from around the NFL:
- The 49ers restructured defensive end Nick Bosa‘s contract to clear $17.7MM in salary cap space, per Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap. Like Cooper, his salary was reduced to the veteran minimum by converting $21.465MM to a signing bonus and prorating it across the four remaining years of the contract plus one new void year. His cap hits in each of those seasons has risen by $4.293MM as a result.
- The Giants also restructured a starting edge rusher, like the Broncos with Cooper and the 49ers with Burns, though they did not add any void years to his deal to maximize the cap savings from the move. $22.75MM of Brian Burns‘ 2026 salary was converted to a signing bonus and prorated across the remaining three years of the contract. The move yields $15.16MM in cap savings this year, though ESPN’s Jordan Raanan notes that the money is for “operating funds” – such as contracts for the upcoming draft class – as opposed to another major free agency signing. Burns will now have cap hits of just over $44MM in 2027 and 2028, which will likely cause the Giants to explore another extension next offseason to reduce those obligations.
- Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill accepted a pay cut in the last year of his contract, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. He was previously due a non-guaranteed salary of $6MM; now, he will make $3.5MM with $3MM of his guaranteed. The deal ensures Tranquill will remain in Kansas City in 2026, his fourth season with the team.
- The Saints already began their annual tradition of restructuring most of their top contracts to become cap-compliant before the start of the new league year, and they added another to the ledger this week with an edge rusher of their own. Carl Granderson‘s $2MM roster bonus and $9.45MM of his 2026 salary was converted into a signing bonus and prorated across the remaining four years of the contract, per Fitzgerald. Interestingly, the Saints, who have been one of the NFL’s most aggressive teams in terms of using void years, did not add another void year to Granderson’s deal (which already contained two) to maximize their cap savings, according to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. As a result, his 2026 cap hit was reduced by $8.59MM, creating a $20.924MM cap hit in 2027.
Broncos Plan To Retain G Ben Powers; DL John Franklin-Myers Expected To Depart
Today’s Broncos agreement to extend Alex Palczewski will not put him on a path to becoming the team’s new left guard starter, after all. Ben Powers, mentioned as a trade candidate for weeks, is now expected to stay in Denver.
The Broncos are not planning to trade or release Powers, per 9News’ Mike Klis; the team will also not ask the eighth-year guard for a pay cut. This places Powers on track to earn $11.99MM in base salary this season — the final year of his contract. More notably, this will give the Broncos an offensive line featuring five players earning at least $12MM per year.
[RELATED: Looking Into Broncos’ Offseason Outlook]
Denver extended left tackle Garett Bolles (four years, $80MM) and right guard Quinn Meinerz (four years, $72MM) in 2024, doing so before re-upping center Luke Wattenberg (4/48) in November 2025. Powers, however, started Sean Payton‘s O-line overhaul, signing a four-year deal worth $52MM early during the 2023 legal tampering period. RT Mike McGlinchey soon signed a five-year, $87.5MM pact. Powers, who is tied to a $18.16MM 2026 cap number, is the only player Denver starting blocker unsigned for 2027. McGlinchey, Meinerz and Powers sit as the Broncos’ top three cap hits.
Palczewski is now locked in through the ’27 season, perhaps giving the Broncos an heir apparent at LG. The former UDFA looks to reprise his role as the Broncos’ swingman/sixth O-lineman in 2026. Powers, 29, has operated as Denver’s left guard starter throughout his tenure. A biceps injury, however, sidelined the ex-Raven for nine games last season. In 2024, however, Powers led all interior O-lineman in run block win rate.
The 2026 season also represents a new chapter for the Broncos, as it is a gap year of sorts between the Russell Wilson dead money period and Bo Nix‘s extension eligibility. Nix cannot sign an extension until 2027, giving the Broncos a chance to bolster their team around a rookie deal this year. It looks like part of that effort will be retaining all five pricey O-line starters; Pro Football Focus ranked Denver’s front first overall last season.
While Powers is due back, the Broncos are expected to lose John Franklin-Myers. Set to test free agency Monday, Franklin-Myers has not engaged in offseason talks with the Broncos, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. This situation has been headed this way for a while, as Franklin-Myers — despite expressing interest in staying — has long been expected to leave. This year’s market places the veteran D-lineman in commanding position to score a monster raise.
Placed sixth on PFR’s top 50 free agents list, Franklin-Myers is viewed as by far the best interior D-lineman set to be available Monday. Sent to Denver in a Jets salary dump during the 2024 draft, Franklin-Myers (29) combined for 14.5 sacks as a full-time starter as a 3-4 D-end for the Broncos — who formed two top-three defenses during the supporting-caster’s two seasons. Franklin-Myers, who had been tied to a four-year Jets deal worth $55MM prior to the April 2024 trade, is seeking a three- or four-year contract, per Tomasson.
Broncos Rumors: Franklin-Myers, Powers, Trautman, TE, Lewis, Singleton, Strnad
It looks like the Broncos are days away from losing John Franklin-Myers. Although a degree of interest has come from the reigning AFC West champs, no offer is believed to have come. Denver extended Courtland Sutton, Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto during training camp and then paid Luke Wattenberg, Malcolm Roach and Wil Lutz. The Allen, Bonitto and Roach extensions followed Jonathon Cooper‘s 2024 re-up and the March 2025 D.J. Jones re-signing. The writing appears on the wall for Franklin-Myers, a solid Denver starter for two seasons.
This is also an ideal time for Franklin-Myers to hit free agency, with a dearth of higher-end inside D-line options available. As a result of this clear runway, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler hears a $20MM-per-year contract may be necessary to win this FA derby. Franklin-Myers is going into an age-30 season and played out a two-year, $15MM deal. The Jets had him on a four-year, $55MM accord but traded it in a salary-dump deal during the 2024 draft. After 14.5 sacks over the past two seasons — as part of two top-three scoring defenses in Denver — the Allen sidekick is poised to be one of this free agency’s biggest winners.
Here is the latest out of Denver:
- In PFR’s Broncos Offseason Outlook piece, I mentioned Ben Powers as a trade candidate. The Wattenberg extension gave Denver five O-line salaries at $12MM or higher, and Powers is going into a contract year and approaching his 30th birthday. The three-year Broncos left guard is carrying a $17.43MM cap number and continues to be linked to a possible trade. Fowler mentions the former Raven as a player who could be on the move soon. The Broncos have former UDFA Alex Palczewski as an internal replacement; the team will likely tender Palczewski (10 2025 starts) as an RFA by the March 11 deadline. If the Broncos trade Powers, they would save $8.38MM in cap space. Denver currently holds $25.23MM — 13th-most.
- Another cost-saving measure the Broncos can take would be an Evan Engram release. Sean Payton‘s would-be “Joker” performer was not a major factor in his first season of a two-year, $23MM contract; Denver can save $6.47MM by designating Engram a post-June 1 cut. Engram, 31, is not a lock to be released, per 9News’ Mike Klis, but Payton wants to add another receiving tight end this offseason. Denver hopes to re-sign starter Adam Trautman, per Klis, but he does not contribute much as a receiver. Engram (461 yards, one TD in 2025) would join Isaiah Likely, Dallas Goedert, Cade Otton, Chig Okonkwo and David Njoku as notable TEs available if cut. One of the outside options could be in play for the Broncos if they do move on. Denver is also unlikely to tender tight end Lucas Krull as an RFA, Klis adds.
- The Broncos allowed Marcedes Lewis to set the record for seasons by a tight end (20), and no pure TE has played past 41 — Lewis’ age last season. The 2006 first-round pick is interested in playing one more season, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson tweets. Lewis, who has interest in coaching as well, played 81 offensive snaps over five games as a Bronco last year.
- Dre Greenlaw looms as a possible cap casualty after missing nine games due to injury in his first Broncos slate. That is not certain, as Denver has regulars Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad unsigned. GM George Paton said (via the Denver Post’s Luca Evans) is interested in keeping both linebackers. A four-year Broncos starter who recovered from testicular cancer, Singleton played out a three-year, $18MM deal. He turned 32 in December. Strnad, 29, was the team’s Greenlaw sub who logged a 55% snap share last season. Strnad, Denver’s Singleton injury sub in 2024, is interested in landing a starting role somewhere after playing out a one-year, $2.87MM contract. Keeping Greenlaw, with Denver also tied to first-round ILBs in mock drafts, likely would mean at least one of the Singleton-Strnad duo exits in free agency.
AFC West Notes: Broncos, Powers, Raiders, Staff, Tart, Chargers, Chiefs
As it stands, the Broncos are the rare team with five offensive linemen signed to eight-figure-per-year contracts. They ensured this status by extending center Luke Wattenberg (four years, $48MM) during their November bye week. Three-year left guard starter Ben Powers was injured when that deal went down, and PFR’s Broncos Offseason Outlook mentioned the veteran as a cut candidate following Wattenberg’s payday. We may be moving closer to that reality.
In predicting how the Broncos will proceed with Powers, the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel pegs a release as the most likely outcome. Denver would save $8.4MM by releasing Powers, who signed a four-year deal worth $52MM in 2023. The Broncos signed Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey on Day 1 of the ’23 legal tampering period, and both have helped the team’s O-line complete a turnaround. But the Broncos have since paid Wattenberg and All-Pros Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz. With former UDFA Alex Palczewski replacing Powers for 10 starts last season, he is a candidate to take over at LG.
The Broncos will only make this Powers move if they view Palczewski — a 2023 UDFA who can be kept for one more season via RFA tender — ready to move into the lineup, The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider adds. Powers, 29, has played well when healthy. Run block win rate tabbed him first among all interior O-linemen in 2024, while Pro Football Focus ranked Powers 35th among guards (with Palczewski 62nd) last season. Here is the latest from the AFC West:
- Klint Kubiak is still assembling his Raiders staff, and another familiar name is on his radar. The Raiders requested permission to interview Vikings assistant Jordan Traylor for their quarterbacks coach position, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Traylor worked with Kubiak with the 2024 Saints, spending six seasons in New Orleans. He served as Vikings assistant QBs coach in 2025. Minnesota has already lost tight ends coach Brian Angelichio to an OC post (with the Steelers) and wide receivers coach Tony Sorrentino to the Cardinals. Traylor would represent another defection from Kevin O’Connell‘s offensive staff.
- The Raiders are also expected to hire Zach Azzani as their wide receivers coach, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Azzani, 49, previously worked with Kubiak on the 2022 Broncos’ staff. Denver’s five-year WRs coach (2018-22), Azzani coached the Jets’ receivers in 2023 and spent the past two years in that role with the Steelers. Las Vegas would be Azzani’s fifth NFL stop as a receivers coach.
- Dismissed by the Cowboys as they changed defensive staffs last month, Andre Curtis has found a new home. The Chiefs announced his hire as safeties coach. Curtis, 49, has been an NFL staffer since 2006. He spent seven seasons on Pete Carroll‘s Seattle staffs (2015-21), finishing that tenure with four seasons as the Seahawks’ pass-game coordinator on defense. After three seasons coaching Bears safeties, Curtis worked as the Cowboys’ defensive pass-game coordinator last season. Steve Spagnuolo had Curtis on all three of Rams staffs when the former was St. Louis’ HC from 2009-11.
- After dodging an ACL tear near the end of the Chiefs’ season, Gardner Minshew has returned to full strength, per Schefter. Minshew, who started in Week 16 but missed Kansas City’s final two games, will be healthy as teams evaluate him as a potential backup or bridge option in free agency.
- Broncos DB/special-teamer JL Skinner revealed he played the 2025 season with a labrum tear, confirming (via Mile High Sports’ Cody Roark) he underwent surgery recently. One season remains on Skinner’s rookie contract; he saw action on 68% of the Broncos’ special teams plays last season.
- The Chargers started a bit early in free agency by re-signing Teair Tart. The veteran defensive tackle has done well on his third Bolts deal. Tart re-signed on a three-year, $30MM contract that includes $15MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap. This guarantee includes $4.98MM of his 2027 salary. Tart, 29 later this month, played on a one-year, $4.5MM deal in 2025. Both the Titans and Dolphins cut him earlier this decade.
Broncos Activate G Ben Powers
The Broncos’ offensive line will receive a boost in time for Week 16. Left guard Ben Powers has been activated from injured reserve, per a team announcement. 
Powers suffered a biceps injury in Week 5, and he has been sidelined since. Denver opened his practice window on December 10, however, signaling a return was imminent. After remaining absent last week, Powers will be able to suit up tomorrow against the Jaguars.
During Powers’ absence, the Broncos have used a pair of replacements at the left guard spot. Matt Peart filled in for one game before suffering his own injury, which paved the way for Alex Palczewski to handle a full-time starting gig. The latter could still see at least a rotational role down the stretch. Head coach Sean Payton said (via 9News’ Mike Klis) Powers will be eased back into action.
In any event, being back to full strength up front will be key for the top team in the AFC. Each of Denver’s other four starters up front (left tackle Garrett Bolles, center Luke Wattenberg, right guard Quinn Meinerz and right tackle Mike McGlinchey) have played in every game this season. That run of availability has been key to the team’s offensive success in 2025.
Powers, 29, has delivered on expectations as a run blocker in particular during his time with the Broncos. The 2023 free agent signing did not miss a game during his first two seasons in the Mile High City, and he is on the books through next year. A trade or release aimed at shedding costs along the offensive line could be entertained during the offseason, but for now Powers will look to reprise his role as a first-team figure up front while Denver seeks the No. 1 seed in the conference.
With Powers back in the fold, the Broncos have three IR activations remaining for the regular season. Another two will become available once the playoffs begin.
Broncos Designate G Ben Powers For Return
Reeling off 10 straight victories, the Broncos have used a strong offensive line to help assemble this win streak. They have missed one member of that front for most of the season, but the unit appears close to being at full strength again.
Denver designated Ben Powers for return Wednesday, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. Powers has been the team’s left guard starter since his 2023 free agent signing. He is the only Denver regular up front to miss notable time this season.
A biceps injury sidelined Powers following the Broncos’ Week 5 win in Philadelphia. The team has used two replacement options. Matt Peart went down after one game in Powers’ place, with that injury giving way to Alex Palczewski. The former UDFA has started seven games at LG, shifting away from his role as the Broncos’ sixth O-lineman. Denver could restore its preferred six-OL package once Powers returns.
The Broncos made Powers a priority as a 2023 free agent, giving him a four-year deal worth $52MM. That contract, agreed to shortly before the Broncos signed right tackle Mike McGlinchey, included $27MM guaranteed at signing. The former Raven has validated the Broncos’ faith, starting 34 games from 2023-24.
ESPN’s run block win rate metric graded Powers as league’s best interior run blocker — after placing him seventh among guards and centers in 2023 — and he helped J.K. Dobbins to a hot start this season. The Broncos, though, have been forced to get by without Powers and Dobbins as of late. However, the team has continued to motor along — albeit with questions about its offense — in running its record to 11-2.
Powers’ status beyond this season is worth following, as the Broncos recently extended center Luke Wattenberg on a four-year deal worth $48MM. This gives Denver’s O-line five starters earning at least $12MM per year. O-lines are almost never constructed this way, inviting speculation about Powers’ future due to the cap savings that would come in a contract-year release. The Broncos would save $8.65MM by cutting Powers in 2026 ($13MM with a post-June 1 designation), and considering teams’ need for quality O-linemen, a trade would not be out of the question. Powers’ $18.4MM cap number trails only McGlinchey’s $23.8MM number on the Broncos’ 2026 payroll.
Then again, Pro Football Focus ranks Palczewski 63rd out of 80 qualified guards this season. The team also has Russell Wilson‘s dead money coming off the books, at long last, after this season. Next year represents a pivotal opportunity as a result, with Bo Nix tied to his rookie deal for at least one more season. Denver keeping Powers in an ultra-rare setup featuring five eight-figure-AAV O-linemen would be interesting. For now, it appears the 29-year-old blocker is on his way back to help a Denver Super Bowl push — one that could become an audition for guard-needy teams.
Broncos Activate Malcolm Roach, Place Ben Powers On IR
Malcolm Roach returned to practice recently, a development suggesting he could be available to the Broncos for Week 6. That will indeed be the case. 
The veteran defensive tackle was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, per a team announcement. Given the timing of when Roach had his 21-day practice window opened, it was expected Denver would make this move. He is now in line to make his season debut during the Broncos’ matchup with the Jets in London.
Roach is one of several former Saints who reunited with Sean Payton upon arrival in Denver. The 27-year-old logged a full campaign last year, setting new career highs in tackles (43) and sacks (2.5) along the way. Roach also recorded a personal best in terms of usage rate with a 42% snap share. A similar workload could be in store upon his return.
The Broncos’ defensive line also includes Zach Allen, D.J. Jones and John Franklin-Myers, of course. That trio has remained healthy through the early stages of the 2025 campaign and as long as that continues, each of its members will handle a large workload. Even in that case, Roach will be counted on to fill in on a part-time basis moving forward. As a pending free agent, his performance upon retuning to action will be key in determining his market value.
To make room on the roster, the Broncos moved starting left guard Ben Powers to injured reserve. The 2023 free agent signing suffered a biceps injury in Week 5, and shortly after that game it became clear an IR stint would be necessary. Powers has not missed a game to date in his Denver tenure, but that will now change. A return to action in December is the team’s target in his case.
With Powers sidelined for at least the next four games (but quite probably more), depth up front will be something to monitor. The Broncos have elevated Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game. The former UDFA played two games last season with Denver, and he is now in position to make his season debut on Sunday.
Broncos LG Ben Powers Headed To IR
The Broncos earned an impressive comeback win on Sunday, but their offensive line will be shorthanded for an extended period. Left guard Ben Powers is dealing with a biceps injury which will lead to a notable absence.
Powers did not join the Broncos on their flight to London today. Instead, Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post notes he returned to Denver for evaluation on his injury. Testing has resulted in an unwanted prognosis. 9News’ Mike Klis reports Powers is heading to injured reserve.
The 28-year-old is set to miss at least the next four games as a result. However, Powers is in store for an extended absence. Per Klis, the team hopes to have him back in the fold at some point in December. That would represent a recovery timeline of roughly two months.
Since arriving in free agency in 2023, Powers has yet to miss a game. This absence will thus be a rare one, but it will also deal a blow to Denver’s highly-regarded offensive line. That unit played a critical role in quarterback Bo Nix‘s impressive rookie campaign and has remained strong in the early portion of the current season. Powers’ PFF evaluation to date has been in line with his previous Broncos performances.
The Oklahoma product is under contract through 2026, although none of his base salary for next year is locked in. Powers managing to return to full health late in the season could therefore prove to be key in ensuing he remains in Denver moving forward. In any case, the Broncos will be relying on one or more replacements along the interior of the O-line for the time being.
AFC North Notes: Steelers, Powers, Wills
The Steelers are not expected to re-sign offensive linemen Dan Moore and James Daniels after the 2024 season, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show.
Moore is in the final year of his rookie contract with 58 career starts at left tackle for the Steelers, a solid return for the fourth-round pick used to draft him in 2021. However, he allowed at least seven sacks in each of his first three seasons, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and Pittsburgh used first-round draft picks on tackles in 2023 and 2024, signaling a desire to upgrade at the position. Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu primarily played left tackle in college, giving the Steelers multiple options to take over on the blindside in 2025.
Daniels started just four games at guard this year before tearing his Achilles, which will likely end his tenure in Pittsburgh. Daniels signed a three-year, $26.5MM contract with the Steelers in 2022 and largely played well over the last three years. However, the seven-year veteran will be looking to cash in on the massive increase in the guard market. Pittsburgh may not be inclined to spend so much at guard after drafting Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick this past year, especially with T.J. Watt and George Pickens in line for extensions at more expensive positions.
- Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills said on Monday that his recent benching “was pretty shocking,” per Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “I made a business decision not to play after the Bengals game going into that Ravens game because I was injured,” explained Wills. He hyperextended his right knee on the first play against the Bengals in Week 7 and managed to finish the game but “couldn’t really bend” his knee the following day. He sat out Week 8 against the Ravens and was subsequently benched for Dawand Jones. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that “business decision” was a “poor choice of words” by Wills, though it would not affect whether or not he would play again this year, per Cabot. Stefanski also hinted that Willis’ 2023 injury is still hampering him. “I wouldn’t categorize it as a setback,” said Stefanski, per The Athletic’s Zac Jackson. “It hasn’t recovered how quickly he would want it to…it’s been a tough rehab for him.” Wills opted for surgery last year to repair his torn MCL – in the same knee he hyperextended recently – and did not debut until Week 3 this year. Wills is currently in the final year of his rookie contract, and his health issues may complicate extension negotiations with the Browns.
- Broncos left guard Ben Powers confirmed he didn’t receive an offer to re-sign with the Ravens when he hit free agency in 2023, according to Chris Thomasson of The Denver Gazette. “I didn’t hear from them,” said Powers, who signed with the Broncos on a four-year, $52MM deal and returned to Baltimore for the first time in Week 9. However, the sixth-year guard didn’t hold it against Baltimore, saying that he “kind of understood their situation. That was the offseason they were handling [Lamar Jackson‘s] contract, so I kind of anticipated it.”
- Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer will be expected to develop his group of young blockers over the next few seasons as Pittsburgh figures out a long-term plan at quarterback. Meyer in his third year with the team after Shaun Sarrett was fired after the 2020 season and his successor, Adrian Klemm, left for Oregon before the end of 2021. His departure was related to tensions with then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada, per Kaboly. The Steelers then fired Canada in November 2023, the franchise’s first in-season coaching change since 1941.
Broncos To Sign G Ben Powers
One of the top interior offensive linemen in this year’s class is heading to the Mile High City. Guard Ben Powers is set to join the Broncos on a four-year contract, per Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link).
Broncos GM George Paton said the team would be focusing on its offensive line, and this contract will bring one of the top interior O-linemen available to Denver. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adds that the contract is worth $52MM and includes $28.5MM guaranteed (Twitter link).
This marks the third upper-crust contract the Broncos have authorized for a guard since 2017; they have added Ronald Leary (four years, $36MM), Graham Glasgow (four years, $44MM) and now Powers in that time. Neither of the prior two deals ended up panning out for the AFC West team — Denver cut Glasgow after three seasons on Friday — and this one will ensure Dalton Risner finds a home elsewhere. The former second-round pick is now one of the top free agents left on the board.
This agreement will put Powers firmly in the top 10 among guards, and Sirius XM’s Adam Caplan tweets he will earn $15MM in its first year. Powers, 26, has gone from needing to win a competition to lock down a spot as a Ravens starter in 2022 to becoming one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. The Broncos are giving Powers a $13MM signing bonus, and Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets his 2023 and ’24 base salaries will check in at $2MM and $12MM, respectively.
The deal essentially comes in at two years and $27MM, with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk adding most of Powers’ 2025 money does not become guaranteed until Day 5 of the 2025 league year. That gives him two seasons to prove valuable in Denver. Powers’ $27MM through 2024 is fully guaranteed.
This will give the Broncos a guard tandem of Powers and Quinn Meinerz; Pro Football Focus ranked the latter as its No. 6 overall guard in 2022. Powers checked in much lower, just inside the top 40, but the advanced metrics website ranked him as its second-best pass-blocking guard. ESPN’s run block win rate also placed Powers in the top 10 among guards.
For the Ravens, this will continue a trend. Often prioritizing compensatory picks, Baltimore has let the likes of Kelechi Osemele, Ryan Jensen and Bradley Bozeman walk in free agency over the past 10 years. Powers will parlay his 18-start contract year into big dollars, creating a need up front for the Ravens. The AFC North team still has Ben Cleveland and swingman Patrick Mekari under contract.