Headlines

Denver Broncos News & Rumors

2026 NFL Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker

By | at February 15, 2026 10:15 pm

The 2026 head coaching carousel has now seen 10 jobs open since the start of the offseason, as the Bills have fired Sean McDermott. HC firings generally lead to coordinator changes, and several other teams have proceeded with OC or DC moves to start their offseasons. Here are the current OC and DC searches transpiring. As the remaining HC searches conclude, more coordinator searches will be added to this list.

Updated 2-16-26 (1:10pm CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals (Out: Drew Petzing)

  • Nathaniel Hackett, quarterbacks coach (Dolphins): Hired

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Zac Robinson)

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Todd Monken)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Joe Brady)

  • Pete Carmichael Jr., senior offensive assistant (Broncos): Hire expected

Chicago Bears (Out: Declan Doyle)

Cleveland Browns (Out: Tommy Rees)

Denver Broncos (Out: Joe Lombardi)

  • Ronald Curry, quarterbacks coach (Bills): Interviewed
  • Brian Johnson, pass-game coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed
  • Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): Promoted

Detroit Lions (Out: John Morton)

Kansas City Chiefs (Out: Matt Nagy)

  • Eric Bieniemy, running backs coach (Bears): Rehired

Las Vegas Raiders (Out: Greg Olson)

  • Andrew Janocko, quarterbacks coach (Seahawks): Hired
  • Frisman Jackson, wide receivers coach (Seahawks): To interview

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Greg Roman)

Miami Dolphins (Out: Frank Smith)

New York Giants (Out: Mike Kafka)

New York Jets (Out: Tanner Engstrand)

Philadelphia Eagles (Out: Kevin Patullo)

Pittsburgh Steelers (Out: Arthur Smith)

Seattle Seahawks (Out: Klint Kubiak)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Out: Josh Grizzard)

Tennessee Titans (Out: Nick Holz)

Washington Commanders (Out: Kliff Kingsbury)

Defensive Coordinators

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens (Out: Zach Orr)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Bobby Babich)

  • Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Hired

Cleveland Browns (Out: Jim Schwartz)

Dallas Cowboys (Out: Matt Eberflus)

Green Bay Packers (Out: Jeff Hafley)

Las Vegas Raiders (Out: Patrick Graham)

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: Jesse Minter)

Miami Dolphins (Out: Anthony Weaver)

  • Sean Duggan, former linebackers coach (Packers): Hired
  • Clint Hurtt, defensive line coach (Eagles): Interviewed

New England Patriots (Out: Terrell Williams)

New York Giants (Out: Shane Bowen)

New York Jets (Out: Steve Wilks)

Pittsburgh Steelers (Out: Teryl Austin)

San Francisco 49ers (Out: Robert Saleh)

  • Gus Bradley, assistant head coach (49ers): Interviewed
  • Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Hired
  • Jim Schwartz, defensive coordinator (Browns): Rumored candidate
  • Joe Woods, defensive backs coach (Raiders): Interviewed

Tennessee Titans (Out: Dennard Wilson)

Washington Commanders (Out: Joe Whitt)

4 comments Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Indianapolis Colts Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New York Giants New York Jets PFR Originals Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Washington Commanders

AFC West Updates: Paton, Bolts, Chiefs

By | at February 15, 2026 10:03 pm

In an appearance on the Altitude Sports Radio show in Denver, ESPN’s Adam Schefter answered a question pertaining to the possibility of Broncos general manager George Paton potentially leaving the team. As the hosts of the show posed the situation, the Vikings are currently looking to fill their open GM role, and Paton is in the final year of his contract with Denver. Paton spent 14 years working his way through Minnesota’s front office and landed the Broncos general manager position after serving five years as director of player personnel for the Vikings.

Despite the obvious connection, Schefter did his best to assuage his hosts’ concerns. While conceding that he had heard the name mentioned in relation to the job in Minnesota, he relayed that he hadn’t gotten any indication that Paton would leave right now. While Paton could leave one day, Schefter didn’t get the impression he was looking to go anywhere at the moment and “is pretty content” with a team that “is intent on keeping him in Denver.”

On the coaching side of things, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported yesterday that USC defensive backs coach Doug Belk is expected to be taking the same role in Denver for 2026. Last year’s defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch have both departed for new roles in Buffalo and New York, respectively, so the Broncos will now turn to Belk to coach up their elite secondary.

Here are a few other staff updates from around the AFC West:

  • After seeing linebackers coach NaVorro Bowman depart to spend more time with his family, the Chargers have turned to another former NFL linebacker to fill the role. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Los Angeles is hiring former Steelers linebacker Sean Spence to the role of inside linebackers coach. Initially a promising third-round pick out of Miami (FL), Spence’s playing career was derailed early by injuries, but he eventually turned to coaching. Spence has spent the last three years at Western Michigan as a special teams analyst (2023), linebackers coach (2024), and edges coach (2025). If the team re-signs pending free agent veteran Denzel Perryman, Spence would be coaching his former Hurricanes teammate.
  • Schultz also reports that the Chargers are hiring Denzel Martin as an assistant outside linebackers coach. Martin spent the last six years working with outside linebackers for the Steelers, getting named OLB coach in 2023. He’ll now bring his experience working with the likes of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and Co. to Los Angeles.
  • Lastly, according to Zenitz, the Chiefs are bringing back Terry Bradden in the role of assistant defensive line coach. Bradden had worked for eight years as a defensive assistant in Kansas City before taking a job as defensive line coach at Nebraska last year. He’ll now return to the Chiefs with an upgraded title.
0 comments Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers

Final 2026 NFL Draft Order

By | at February 9, 2026 8:59 am

With Super Bowl LX in the books, the full 2026 NFL draft order has been set. Free agency is not far away, but attention will increasingly turn to April’s event as the offseason progresses.

The top of the first-round order is not subject to much in the way of speculation. The Raiders own the No. 1 selection and are widely seen as the landing spot for Fernando Mendoza, the lone quarterback regarded as a first-round lock at this point. How other QB-needy teams positioned throughout the order operate over the coming weeks – knowing there is a lack of high-end prospects this year – will make for an interesting storyline around the league.

This year’s NFL Combine will begin on February 23. Events such as the Senior Bowl have already taken place, leaving the Combine as the next major checkpoint in the evaluation of top prospects. Teams will begin arranging ‘Top 30’ visits with several players of interest relatively soon during the build-up to the draft. This year’s event will take place in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.

Pending the inevitable trades which will shake up the order, here is a final look at how things stand leading up to Day 1:

  1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
  2. New York Jets (3-14)
  3. Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
  4. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
  5. New York Giants (4-13)
  6. Cleveland Browns (5-12)
  7. Washington Commanders (5-12)
  8. New Orleans Saints (6-11)
  9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)
  10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)
  11. Miami Dolphins (7-10)
  12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
  13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)
  14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
  15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
  16. New York Jets (via Colts)
  17. Detroit Lions (9-8)
  18. Minnesota Vikings (9-8)
  19. Carolina Panthers (8-9)
  20. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers)
  21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
  22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
  23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
  24. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars)
  25. Chicago Bears (11-6)
  26. Buffalo Bills (12-5)
  27. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
  28. Houston Texans (12-5)
  29. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
  30. Denver Broncos (14-3)
  31. New England Patriots (14-3)
  32. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
25 comments 2026 NFL Draft Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants New York Jets PFR Originals Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Washington Commanders

Sean Payton Has Not Decided On Broncos’ 2026 Play-Caller

By | at February 8, 2026 10:45 am

FEBRUARY 8: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirms nothing has been decided with respect to offensive play-calling duties for the Broncos in 2026. Several league sources believe Payton will eventually relinquish that responsibility to Webb, though it could happen gradually rather than all at once.

FEBRUARY 5: Davis Webb‘s promotion to Broncos offensive coordinator stirred speculation that he may take over play-calling duties from Sean Payton.

Webb received interest from several teams this cycle for both head coaching and offensive coordinator jobs that would have come with the opportunity to call plays. Since experience as a play-caller has become an increasingly important factor in getting a head coaching job, his decision to stay in Denver suggested he would get a shot at calling the Broncos offense.

However, there is no language in Webb’s contract guaranteeing him that responsibility, according to Luca Evans of the Denver Post, and Payton has yet to make a decision on the matter.

Giving up play-calling duties would be a major departure for Payton, who has been calling plays for his offenses for the last 20 years. But he may have already hinted at such a change, per 9News’ Mike Klis (via DNVR Sports). Payton talked about needing to move quicker as a coach in January, and delegating play-calling duties to Webb may allow him to do that.

“I don’t think Sean [Payton] is ready to announce that, but I’m not going to be surprised if Davis Webb does [call plays],” Klis said.

Payton has voiced his approval of Webb’s play-calling abilities in the past. Webb called the Broncos offense for a preseason game in 2025 and the unit scored 27 points, racked up 562 yards, and averaged 7.8 yards per play.

“I had thrown a couple of call sheets or stat sheets from my first time and highlighted a few things and said, ‘see if you can beat this,’” Payton said (via Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post). “And he did.”

Of course, the regular season is a different story, but who better to mentor Webb in his first year as a play-caller than Payton himself? And if Webb were to falter for any reason, Payton could always step in to right the ship.

4 comments Denver Broncos

2026 NFL Offseason Outlook Series

By | at February 6, 2026 11:00 am

Pro Football Rumors is breaking down how all 32 teams’ offseason blueprints are shaping up. Going forward, the Offseason Outlook series is exclusive to Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers, and that link provides details on how to sign up for an annual membership.

This post will be updated as more Outlooks are published.

AFC East

  • Buffalo Bills
  • Miami Dolphins
  • New England Patriots
  • New York Jets

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Seattle Seahawks
0 comments Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants New York Jets Offseason Outlook PFR Originals Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Washington Commanders

Offseason Outlook: Denver Broncos

By | at February 5, 2026 10:10 pm

Enjoying near-2024 Chiefs-level success in one-score games, the Broncos rode to a 14-3 record and the AFC's No. 1 seed. Denver far outdistanced longtime AFC West kingpin Kansas City and won the division by three games. The team's recent extension recipients led the way, with six players extended in 2024 or 2025 earning original-ballot Pro Bowl nods and four collecting All-Pro honors.

More impressively, the Broncos extended their season to the AFC championship game with Russell Wilson's $32MM cap figure topping their payroll. While Denver fell just short of Super Bowl LX -- with Bo Nix's season-ending ankle injury bringing one of the bigger what-ifs in recent NFL history -- the team has a clear window to continue as a top-tier operation in 2026. The Broncos are now clear of Wilson's record-setting dead money sum, and with Nix on a rookie contract, 2026 represents a sweet spot of sorts for the rejuvenated franchise.

Coaching/front office:

Significant changes are on tap for Sean Payton's staff, though Denver's 2026 coach roster will include Joseph -- despite extensive HC interest -- and Webb even though teams pursued the latter for HC and OC jobs. Webb's status likely led to Lombardi's ouster. The longtime Payton underling was not viewed as a head coaching candidate despite the Broncos' recent success, and credit for Nix's development generally went to Payton and Webb. Lombardi, a three-stint Payton replacement, has landed with the Ravens.

Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Articles Like This One With a Trade Rumors Front Office Subscription

BENEFITS
  • Access weekly subscriber-only articles by Sam Robinson
  • Join exclusive weekly live chats with Sam
  • Remove ads and support our writers
1 comment Denver Broncos Front Office Originals Offseason Outlook

Broncos Promote Davis Webb To OC

By | at February 2, 2026 11:40 pm

The Broncos have taken the expected route regarding their offensive coordinator position. Davis Webb has been promoted to the role, per a team announcement.

Denver also announced on Monday that offensive quality control coach Logan Kilgore has been promoted to quarterbacks coach. Webb previously held that role, and his success resulted in widespread head coaching and coordinator interest around the league. To prevent a departure, the Broncos created an OC opening recently by firing Joe Lombardi.

Since that time, many have expected Webb to be promoted as Lombardi’s replacement. A formal interview took place yesterday, paving the way for Monday’s news. Attention will now turn to the matter of play-calling duties. Head coach Sean Payton has called plays for each of his three years in Denver, but ceding those responsibilities to Webb may have been necessary to keep him in the building.

At the age of 31, Webb is less experienced than many of the staffers who received interviews during this year’s hiring cycle. The former NFL QB has nevertheless seen his stock rise sharply over the course of his Broncos tenure, which began in 2023 as part of Payton’s first Denver staff. Webb worked as the team’s quarterbacks coach since arriving, and in 2025 he had pass-game coordinator added to his title.

During the early portion of this year’s hiring cycle, the Ravens and Bills interviewed Webb for their head coaching vacancies. A follow-up with the Raiders also took place in his case, but he withdrew from consideration. Shortly thereafter, Vegas reached an agreement with Klint Kubiak to become the team’s new head coach.

On the coordinator front, Webb was the subject of interview requests from the Ravens, Giants and Eagles for their OC openings. The vacancies in Baltimore and Philadelphia have been filled, but New York is still in search of a new coordinator to pair with John Harbaugh. Webb represented a potential target with Todd Monken landing the Browns’ HC gig, but that is no longer the case.

Webb has played a leading role in Bo Nix‘s development. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist did not make a major jump in terms of statistical output in his second season, but he was of course a key reason why Denver secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Nix’s absence was certainly felt during the Broncos’ loss in the conference championship game. Provided his recovery from ankle surgery goes as planned, Nix will be fully healed in time for offseason work. That period will be critical, as it will mark the first series of spring and summer practices with Webb in place as OC.

Kilgore also joined the Broncos as part of Payton’s initial staff in 2023. He served as a quality control coach for three years, spending time in particular with Denver’s tight ends and returners along the way. Kilgore will now step into an elevated role as Webb’s successor, but Payton will have a number of familiar faces on his staff for next season.

4 comments Denver Broncos Newsstand

Broncos Want To Extend GM George Paton; Vikings On Radar?

By | at February 2, 2026 4:32 pm

George Paton has completed one of the more interesting GM recovery efforts in recent memory. After a disastrous 2022 offseason that brought the Nathaniel Hackett hire and the Russell Wilson trade/extension sequence, the veteran GM has presided over a Broncos turnaround.

Denver overcame two years of historic Wilson dead money to make the playoffs in both seasons, including a 2025 No. 1 seed and AFC championship game berth. When Paton took over for John Elway in 2021, he signed a six-year contract. That makes 2026 a platform year. Although Paton is technically a lame duck as it stands, the Broncos want to keep his partnership with Sean Payton going long term.

[RELATED: Bo Nix Addresses Sean Payton Injury Comments]

“We’d love to have both of them here long term,’’ Broncos CEO Greg Penner said, via 9News’ Mike Klis. “I think the partnership they’ve created and how they work together, it’s very complementary. In terms of their contracts, those are things that we’ll always deal with on a personal basis in private and take that as it comes.”

A recent report indicated the Broncos were eyeing a second Paton contract, and one will need to be worked out soon if the team indeed will keep the Payton-Paton pair together beyond 2026. The longtime NFL exec lost some power when he orchestrated the January 2023 trade for Payton, but the team has done well to rebound. While the Payton-Bo Nix union has led the way, the GM’s round of extensions have been no small part of that.

From 2024-25, the Broncos extended six All-Pro or Pro Bowl players — Patrick Surtain, Quinn Meinerz, Garett Bolles, Courtland Sutton, Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto. All six were honored as All-Pros or Pro Bowlers in 2025, with five of the six receiving one or both those distinctions in 2024 a well. Paton’s 2021 draft class produced Surtain, Meinerz and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper; the latter is also tied to an extension.

The Broncos hired Paton after his lengthy run with the Vikings, who employed him from 2012-20. Paton served as Vikings assistant GM from 2015-20, becoming a regular GM candidate in that span. A year after removing his name from Browns consideration, Paton took the Broncos’ job. The Vikings now have a GM vacancy, having fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Friday. With his Broncos contract not yet extended, Paton’s name has floated in connection with a potential Minnesota return, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Alec Lewis note. Paton still has strong relationships with Minnesota, per The Athletic.

Paton, 55, was Rick Spielman‘s top lieutenant with the Vikings. He was there long enough to cover the Brett Favre seasons all the way to Kirk Cousins‘ second Vikes contract. The franchise made the playoffs with five different starting quarterbacks from 2009-19. The Vikings hired Paton from the Dolphins in 2006.

Considering the success the Broncos have begun to achieve with this regime, it would surprise if the team let its GM out of the building. Despite Payton having no relationship with Paton upon arrival in 2023, the veteran HC has spoken well of his partnership with the GM since. The Broncos would have to grant the Vikings permission to interview Paton, since the hire would be a lateral move. But Minnesota interest could give the sixth-year GM some leverage as he prepares for extension talks in Denver.

1 comment Denver Broncos

Broncos Expected To Promote Davis Webb To OC

By | at February 1, 2026 10:59 pm

10:59pm: Webb has now conducted a formal interview for the OC spot, Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reports. That makes him the third candidate to speak with Denver about the position and paves the way for a promotion to officially take place.

8:00am: One of this year’s popular coaching candidates appears to be staying put. Multiple sources tell Mike Klis of 9News.com that Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb will remain in Denver and will become the club’s new offensive coordinator following Joe Lombardi’s dismissal.

The Broncos narrowly missed advancing to this year’s Super Bowl despite being forced to start Jarrett Stidham under center in the AFC Championship Game due to QB1 Bo Nix’s fractured ankle. Nix has been the team’s starting passer in each of the last two years, and although Denver booked two playoff berths during that time and secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed in 2025, head coach Sean Payton felt an OC change was necessary. 

There could be another fundamental shift on the horizon. As Troy Renck of the Denver Post writes, Webb has developed a reputation as an “offensive wizard, and quarterback whisperer,” and recent reports suggested Payton may have to cede his play-calling duties to Webb in order to keep his young protege on his staff. Payton has called the offensive plays since arriving in Denver in 2023 and held the same responsibility as the Saints’ HC for many years before that.

Payton sounded amenable to such a change several weeks ago.

“As you get older, you think about all the ramifications. It was said as you get older, maybe you don’t drive in the rain at night. You begin to… I can’t let that happen as a play caller,” Payton said (via Renck). “That’s something that I have to mentally make sure it’s quick.”

Teams around the league are intrigued by Webb’s upside as an offensive guru. The Giants and Eagles were interested in him as a play-calling OC in this year’s coaching carousel, and though he just turned 31, he took head coaching interviews with the Bills, Raiders, and Ravens. He was even considered a finalist for the Las Vegas gig before he withdrew from consideration.

That withdrawal suggested Webb would stay with the Broncos for at least the 2026 season, and signs are pointing in that direction. Whether he will have the opportunity to begin building his play-calling resume remains to be seen. Thus far, as Renck observes, Webb has called plays just once: during a preseason game in August.

In 2025, the Broncos finished 10th in total offense and 14th in scoring. As our coordinator tracker shows, they have also interviewed Bills quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry and Commanders pass-game coordinator Brian Johnson for the OC post.

13 comments Denver Broncos

Broncos Notes: Nix, Free Agency, Dobbins, Strnad, Von

By | at February 1, 2026 4:21 pm

The latest reporting on Broncos quarterback Bo Nix indicated he will be medically cleared by the time OTAs open in May. However, Denver head coach Sean Payton’s comments on Nix’s fractured ankle led to some consternation among the team’s fanbase.

“What was found was a condition that was predisposed where they always find a little bit more when they go in and it wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when,” Payton said. “When you look at the play, the surgeon said this was going to happen sooner than later.”

Payton’s use of the word “predisposed” created the belief that Nix may be more susceptible than most to this type of injury, particularly since the soon-to-be 26-year-old has undergone two prior surgeries on the same ankle. Nix himself subsequently refuted that notion.

According to Nix, there is “nothing predisposed” in his ankle, and he said there is no concern that the ankle will impact him in the future (via Luca Evans of the Denver Post). He went on to say that Payton’s statement may have been misinterpreted, and that he does not have a longstanding or chronic issue. Rather, a source tells Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post that in this case, the “predisposition” simply meant that a fracture had already started to develop in Nix’s ankle before it reached the breaking point in the waning stages of the Broncos’ divisional-round victory over the Bills.

Nix also pointed out that, counting his last two seasons in college, he had played in roughly 60 straight games before he was forced to miss last week’s AFC Championship Game. That supports his belief that his durability will not be an issue going forward.

Only time will tell, but in the meantime, the Broncos have now turned their attention to the offseason and readying themselves for another playoff run. At present, Denver is currently in the middle of the pack in terms of projected 2026 cap room ($28.5MM, per OverTheCap.com). As Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette relays, CEO Greg Penner said his club will be “opportunistically aggressive” in free agency, and while Penner did not offer specifics, it is fair to expect a team with a rookie-contract quarterback under center to be an active buyer.

Although the Broncos finished second in the NFL with 37 drops in 2025, both Payton and GM George Paton indicated they are happy with their collection of wide receivers (via Evans). That group is fronted by veteran stalwart Courtland Sutton and otherwise includes promising but largely unproven talent like Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin, and Marvin Mims. Franklin was unable to play in the AFCCG because of a hamstring injury, and Bryant left the game early due to a hamstring malady of his own. That left backup signal-caller Jarrett Stidham with midseason pickups Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Elijah Moore as his top WRs behind Sutton, and the receiving corps dropped three passes in the contest.

That said, Payton believes the issue is one of technique, not talent, and he thinks an increased emphasis on the proper way to catch a football will make a meaningful difference. Paton likewise suggests the proper pass-catching personnel is in place, and he does not believe the receivers who were available at the 2025 trade deadline would have moved the needle a great deal.

However, it does appear the running back depth chart could get some attention. No stranger to injured reserve, J.K. Dobbins was enjoying a strong first year in Denver until a Lisfranc injury cut his campaign short after 10 games. He had posted a 5.0-YPC average and four touchdowns on 153 carries prior to the injury, but rookie RJ Harvey averaged just 3.3 yards per carry after taking over RB1 duties. The club did not rush for more than 80 yards in either of its two postseason contests and did not average four or more yards per carry in six of its final nine games of the year.

Evans suggests the team could opt to bring back Dobbins – who has expressed a desire to return – or look to the draft for RB reinforcements. One way or another, Payton acknowledged that improvement in the running game will be a top agenda item.

Denver will also have to sort out its inside linebacker situation, as both Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are eligible for free agency. Strnad played exclusively on special teams over the 2022-23 seasons but participated in over half of the Broncos’ defensive snaps in each of the last two years due to injuries to other players in the LB room. He played well in 2025, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 25th out of 88 qualified ‘backers. He believes he has proven his worth as a starter and is therefore seeking a multiyear contract that would give him a starting opportunity (via Tomasson).

Strnad, 29, says he would like to remain in Denver, but he acknowledges he may have to seek a new employer if the team elects to retain Singleton, who recently turned 32. Dre Greenlaw, who signed a three-year deal with the Broncos last offseason, will occupy one of the starting ILB spots.

If he has it his way, Von Miller will return to the Broncos to perhaps put a bow on his Hall of Fame career. Now 36 (37 in March), Miller was selected by Denver with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2011 draft and remained with the club until the trade deadline of the 2021 season, when he was dealt to the Rams. During his Mile High tenure, he racked up 110.5 sacks, three First Team All-Pro nods, eight Pro Bowl bids, and a Super Bowl ring (he was also named MVP of Super Bowl 50). While he is far removed from his prime, he quietly recorded nine sacks in a rotational role for the Commanders in 2025, thus proving he still has something to offer to a team’s pass-rushing contingent.

Miller reached out to Paton last year to discuss a possible reunion, though he knew the presence of fellow pass rushers Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto would make a Denver contract unlikely. Paton confirmed as much, and while Cooper and Bonitto are still on the roster and attached to big-money deals, Miller is making another plea.

In a recent episode of his Free Range podcast, Miller said, “[a]fter the season, y’all make room for me over there with the Denver Broncos. I would love to be a Denver Bronco next season. … Let’s just rock out, man. Me, Jonathon Cooper, Nik Bonitto. Like bro, why not? I had nine sacks… I led probably 20 teams in the NFL in sacks this season” (via Will Petersen of DenverSports.com).

Given the contract statuses of Cooper and Bonitto, Paton may be no more willing to bring Miller back into the fold than he was last year. Miller nonetheless should get an opportunity somewhere, and he will have a chance to leapfrog several more players on the all-time official sacks list. His 138.5 career sacks currently put him in ninth place in the regard, behind Terrell Suggs (139.0), Jason Taylor (139.5), and Michael Strahan (141.5).

The Broncos’ offseason business also included a reshaping of their coaching staff. In addition to the dismissal of offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, WRs coach Keary Colbert received his walking papers, as ESPN’s Jeff Legwold reported (which is perhaps no surprise in light of Payton’s comments on the need for his wideouts to improve their technique). The team also fired CBs coach Addison Lynch.

Denver also lost senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael Jr. and defensive pass-game coordinator Jim Leonhard to the Bills, with whom they will serve as offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator, respectively. Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb is in line for a promotion to OC to replace Lombardi.

4 comments Denver Broncos
Show all
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors