Denver's roster is finally breathing. For years, the Broncos were the team drowning in the aftermath of the Russell Wilson trade, gasping for cap space that never seemed to come. Well, it's 2026. The dead money is gone. The books are clean. And if you’ve been refreshing the broncos wire free agency tracker, you know the vibe in the Mile High City has shifted from "how do we survive?" to "who are we hunting?"
Sean Payton and George Paton are sitting on a projected $40 million to $60 million in cap space, depending on which accounting wizard you ask. That's a lot of cheddar. Honestly, it’s the most flexibility this franchise has had since Peyton Manning was still barking "Omaha" at the line of scrimmage. With Bo Nix firmly established on his rookie deal, the window isn't just open; it's been ripped off the hinges.
The Reality of the Broncos Wire Free Agency Tracker
The tracker isn't just a list of names. It’s a roadmap of where this team thinks it's weak. Right now, the flashing red lights are at running back, linebacker, and tight end. While the 2025 season saw huge splashes like Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga, 2026 is about finding the "final pieces" for a Super Bowl run.
You've probably seen the rumors. Breece Hall. George Pickens. Kaden Elliss.
People get obsessed with the big names, but the broncos wire free agency tracker actually tells a story of internal retention first. You can't build a house if the foundation is walking out the door. The biggest names on Denver's own "expired" list are guys like John Franklin-Myers and Alex Singleton. "JFM" is the heartbeat of that defensive front alongside Zach Allen. If he hits the open market, Denver has a massive hole to fill that probably costs $10 million or more a year to plug.
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Then there’s the Alex Singleton situation. He’s 32. He tackles everything that moves. But in the NFL, 32 for a linebacker is often the cliff. Do you pay for past production or let him walk and pray a guy like Quay Walker or Kaden Elliss wants to come to Colorado? It’s a brutal business.
Why the Running Back Room is a Mess
RJ Harvey had a decent rookie year. He did. But when J.K. Dobbins went down, the run game basically turned into a pumpkin. Dobbins is a free agent again, and while he’s had some of the best yards-per-carry stats in league history, his health is a coin flip.
The broncos wire free agency tracker is currently being headlined by the Breece Hall dream. Hall is only 25. He’s a dual-threat monster. The Jets are reportedly looking to reset, and if Breece hits the market, Denver is the logical landing spot. Why? Because Sean Payton loves a back who can catch. Remember Alvin Kamara? Breece Hall is the closest thing to that "Joker" role we’ve seen in years.
But don't ignore the middle-tier guys. Rico Dowdle or even Kenneth Walker III are names being whispered. Denver needs a "running mate" for Harvey. A one-two punch that doesn't fall apart if one guy gets a bruised rib.
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The Tight End Void is Real
We have to talk about the tight end position. It’s been a wasteland since Julius Thomas left. Evan Engram was brought in to fix it, but he’s heading into his age-32 season and the "cap casualty" rumors are starting to swirl.
If Engram is cut to save space, who fills the gap?
- Kyle Pitts: The ultimate "what if." He’s underachieved in Atlanta, but he’s still a physical freak.
- Adam Trautman: He’s a free agent. Reliable blocker, but doesn't strike fear into anyone.
- Lucas Krull: A restricted free agent (RFA) who has shown flashes but hasn't grabbed the job.
The tracker shows both Trautman and Krull as UFAs/RFAs. If Denver doesn't make a splash here, Bo Nix is going to be forced to throw into tight windows to Courtland Sutton all year. That's not a recipe for a deep playoff run.
Managing the 2026 Cap Puzzle
It’s easy to say "go sign everyone." It’s harder to do when you realize the Broncos still need to extend guys like Pat Surtain II eventually and keep the offensive line intact.
The current broncos wire free agency tracker highlights some "easy" cuts that could boost the spending power even further. Jarrett Stidham is a $5 million-plus backup. In a world where Bo Nix is the guy, do you keep that expensive insurance policy? Probably not. Cutting Stidham and potentially moving on from Mike McGlinchey (who has a "potential out" this year) could move the needle from "active" to "aggressive."
McGlinchey is a weird one. He’s been okay. Not great, just okay. But he’s paid like a top-tier tackle. If Denver sees a guy like Alijah Vera-Tucker (AVT) hitting the market, they might take the $15 million dead cap hit on McGlinchey just to get younger and more versatile. AVT can play guard or tackle. That’s Sean Payton’s dream—linemen who are basically Swiss Army knives.
Defensive Needs Nobody Talks About
Everyone looks at the offense, but the secondary has some sneakily important names on the tracker. Ja’Quan McMillian is an RFA. He’s one of the best nickel corners in the league. You don't let those guys walk. Ever.
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Then there’s the safety room. Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke. Locke is a free agent. Jones is coming off a pectoral injury. If you lose both, your secondary becomes Pat Surtain and a bunch of "who’s that?" guys. Expect Denver to prioritize McMillian and Locke early in the "legal tampering" period.
Actionable Next Steps for Broncos Fans
If you're following the broncos wire free agency tracker, don't just look at the "Signings" column. Watch the "Tenders" first.
- Watch the RFA Tenders: By mid-March, Denver has to decide on Ja’Quan McMillian and Jaleel McLaughlin. If they don't place high-round tenders on them, other teams can steal them. These are the first dominoes.
- Monitor the "Potential Out" Dates: Keep an eye on Mike McGlinchey’s contract status. If he isn't restructured or cut by the start of the league year, he's likely staying, which limits the "big splash" money.
- The Breece Hall Watch: If the Jets don't franchise tag him, start looking at Denver real estate listings. The connection between the Broncos' front office and former Jets personnel makes this more than just a fan theory.
- Internal Extensions: If you see news about a John Franklin-Myers extension before March, it’s a massive win. It keeps the cap hit manageable and lets the team focus on adding new talent rather than replacing old ones.
The 2026 offseason is the most important one of the Sean Payton era. The excuses are gone. The money is there. Now, it's just about who wants to come play in the altitude.