2026 Denver Broncos season

2026 Denver Broncos season
2026 Denver Broncos season
Owner	Rob Walton
General manager	George Paton
Head coach	Sean Payton
Home stadium	Empower Field at Mile High
Results
Record	0–0
Uniform
	← 2025 ; Broncos seasons ; 2027 →;

Last updated January 28, 2026

The 2026 season will be the Denver Broncos' upcoming 57th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 67th overall. It will also be the team's sixth under the leadership of general manager George Paton, the fifth under the ownership of the Walton-Penner family group and the fourth under head coach Sean Payton.

Coaching changes

2025 Denver Broncos coaching staff changes
Position	Previous coach	Replacement(s)	Source(s)
Offensive coordinator	Joe Lombardi, 2023–2025	TBD	^[1]
Wide receivers coach	Keary Colbert, 2023–2025	TBD	^[1]
Cornerbacks coach	Addison Lynch, 2025	TBD	^[1]

Roster changes

Future contracts

All players listed below were signed to reserve/future contracts.

Position	Player	Date signed	Source(s)
LB	Levelle Bailey	January 26	^[2]
TE	Caleb Lohner
NT	Jordan Miller
RB	Cody Schrader
G	Calvin Throckmorton
RB	Deuce Vaughn
LB	Garrett Nelson	January 27	^[3]

Free agents

Position	Player	Tag
TE	Nate Adkins	RFA
RB	Tyler Badie	ERFA
FB	Michael Burton	UFA
RB	J. K. Dobbins	UFA
QB	Sam Ehlinger	UFA
DE	John Franklin-Myers	UFA
DE	Matt Henningsen	RFA
WR	Lil'Jordan Humphrey	UFA
DE	Jordan Jackson	ERFA
S	Devon Key	ERFA
TE	Lucas Krull	RFA
S	P. J. Locke	UFA
RB	Jaleel McLaughlin	RFA
CB	Ja'Quan McMillian	RFA
C	Sam Mustipher	UFA
G	Alex Palczewski	RFA
FB	Adam Prentice	UFA
LB	Alex Singleton	UFA
LB	Justin Strnad	UFA
LB	Dondrea Tillman	ERFA
TE	Adam Trautman	UFA
Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA): Players with four or more accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season Restricted Free Agent (RFA): Players with three accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season Exclusive-Rights Free Agent (ERFA): Players with two or fewer accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season

Source for this section: Spotrac.^[4]

Draft

2026 Denver Broncos draft selections
Round	Selection	Player	Notes
1	30
2	TBD
3	TBD
4	TBD		from Saints ^[A]
4	TBD
5	TBD
6	TBD	Traded to the New York Jets ^[B]
7	TBD

Note: The Broncos are projected to receive two compensatory selections—both in the seventh round, as the result of the free agent departures of punter Riley Dixon and cornerback Tremon Smith during the 2025 off-season.^[7] Exact numbers of the selections from rounds 4–7 will be determined when compensatory selections are awarded at the NFL's annual spring owners' meetings.

Draft trades

↑ The Broncos acquired an additional fourth-round selection in a trade that sent wide receiver Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints.^[5]
↑ The Broncos traded their sixth-round selection to the New York Jets in exchange for defensive end John Franklin-Myers.^[6]

Staff

**Denver Broncos staff**
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	Front office Owner – Rob Walton Owner / CEO – Greg Penner Owner – Carrie Walton Penner Owner – Mellody Hobson Owner – Condoleezza Rice Owner – Lewis Hamilton President – Damani Leech General manager – George Paton Vice president of player personnel – Cody Rager Assistant general manager – Reed Burckhardt Co-director of player personnel – Cam Williams Co-director of player personnel – A. J. Durso Director of pro personnel – Jordon Dizon Vice president of football operations – Kelly Kleine Van Calligan Vice president of football administration – Rich Hurtado Vice president of player development – Ray Jackson Director of college scouting – Bryan Chesin Assistant director of college scouting – Dave Bratten Senior Director of Football Technology & Research – Tony Lazzaro Director of football analytics – Scott Flaska Senior personnel executive – Roman Phifer Senior personnel executive – Nick Schiralli Head coach Head coach – Sean Payton Assistant to the head coach – Paul Kelly Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Vacant Offensive pass game coordinator/quarterbacks – Davis Webb Running backs – Lou Ayeni Wide receivers – Vacant Tight ends – Austin King Offensive run game coordinator/assistant head coach – Zach Strief Assistant offensive line – Chris Morgan Director of game management/offensive line assistant – Evan Rothstein Senior offensive assistant – Pete Carmichael Passing game specialist – Zack Grossi Offensive quality control – Logan Kilgore Offensive quality control – Favian Upshaw Offensive consultant – John Morton			Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Vance Joseph Defensive line – Jamar Cain Linebackers – Isaac Shewmaker Inside Linebackers – Jeff Schmedding Defensive pass game coordinator/assistant head coach – Jim Leonhard Cornerbacks - Vacant Senior defensive assistant – Joe Vitt Defensive quality control – Todd Davis Defensive quality control – Brian Niedermeyer Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator/assistant head coach – Darren Rizzi Assistant special teams – Marwan Maalouf Special teams quality control – Zach Line Strength and conditioning Vice president of player health and performance – Beau Lowery Director of strength and conditioning – Shaun Snee Head strength and conditioning – Dan Dalrymple Assistant strength and conditioning – Korey Jones Assistant strength and conditioning – Taylor Porter → Coaching staff → Front office → More NFL staffs

Current roster

**Denver Broncos roster**
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Quarterbacks (QB) 10 Bo Nix 8 Jarrett Stidham Running backs (RB) 12 RJ Harvey Wide receivers (WR) 13 Pat Bryant 11 Troy Franklin 19 Marvin Mims 14 Courtland Sutton Tight ends (TE) 1 Evan Engram		Offensive linemen (OL) 72 Garett Bolles LT 73 Frank Crum RT 54 Alex Forsyth C 66 Nick Gargiulo LG 69 Mike McGlinchey RT 77 Quinn Meinerz RG 79 Matt Peart LT 74 Ben Powers LG 60 Luke Wattenberg C Defensive linemen (DL) 99 Zach Allen DE 93 D. J. Jones DT 95 Sai'vion Jones DE 97 Malcolm Roach DT 96 Eyioma Uwazurike DE		Linebackers (LB) 15 Nik Bonitto OLB 0 Jonathon Cooper OLB 52 Jonah Elliss OLB 57 Dre Greenlaw ILB 47 Karene Reid ILB 51 Que Robinson OLB 41 Drew Sanders ILB 55 Jordan Turner ILB 59 Johnny Walker Jr. OLB Defensive backs (DB) 31 Kris Abrams-Draine CB 23 Jahdae Barron CB 9 Talanoa Hufanga SS 22 Brandon Jones FS 21 Riley Moss CB 34 JL Skinner SS 2 Patrick Surtain II CB 35 Reese Taylor CB Special teams (ST) 16 Jeremy Crawshaw P 48 Mitchell Fraboni LS 3 Wil Lutz K		Reserve 56 Levelle Bailey ILB(Futures) 84 Caleb Lohner TE(Futures) 90 Jordan Miller NT(Futures) 53 Garrett Nelson OLB(Futures) 25 Cody Schrader RB(Futures) 76 Calvin Throckmorton LG(Futures) 42 Deuce Vaughn RB(Futures) Impending free agents (FA) 20 Michael Burton FB 27 J. K. Dobbins RB 4 Sam Ehlinger QB 98 John Franklin-Myers DE 17 Lil'Jordan Humphrey WR 6 P. J. Locke SS 61 Sam Mustipher C 46 Adam Prentice FB 49 Alex Singleton ILB 40 Justin Strnad ILB 82 Adam Trautman TE Restricted free agents (RFA) 45 Nate Adkins TE 91 Matt Henningsen DE 85 Lucas Krull TE 38 Jaleel McLaughlin RB 29 Ja'Quan McMillian NB 63 Alex Palczewski RG Exclusive-rights free agents (ERFA) 28 Tyler Badie RB 94 Jordan Jackson DE 26 Devon Key FS 92 Dondrea Tillman OLB 42 active, 21 free agent(s), 7 reserve As of January 27, 2026. Rookies in italics. Roster Depth chart Transactions

Preseason

The Broncos' preseason opponents and schedule will be announced in the spring.

Regular season

2026 opponents

Listed below are the Broncos' opponents for 2026. Exact dates and times will be announced in the spring.^[8]

Category	Home	Away
Division opponents (AFC West)	Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers
Conference opponents (AFC East)	Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins	New England Patriots New York Jets
Conference opponents (based on 2025 division placement)	Jacksonville Jaguars	Pittsburgh Steelers
Interconference opponents (NFC West)	Los Angeles Rams Seattle Seahawks	Arizona Cardinals San Francisco 49ers
Interconference opponent (based on 2025 division placement)	N/a	Carolina Panthers

References

1 2 3 DiLalla, Aric (January 27, 2026). "Broncos part ways with three assistant coaches". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
↑ DiLalla, Aric (January 26, 2026). "Broncos sign 6 players to future contracts". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
↑ Tomasson, Chris (January 27, 2026). "Broncos sign OLB Garrett Nelson to futures contract". Denver Gazette. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
↑ "2026 Denver Broncos Free Agents". Spotrac. January 15, 2026. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
↑ DiLalla, Aric (August 20, 2025). "Broncos agree to terms on trade with Saints to acquire fourth-, seventh-round picks in exchange for WR Devaughn Vele". Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
↑ DiLalla, Aric (April 29, 2024). "Broncos acquire DE John Franklin-Myers in trade with Jets". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
↑ Morris, Bob (December 18, 2025). "Updated Look at Broncos' Projected Compensatory Draft Picks in 2026". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved December 18, 2025.
↑ "2026 Opponents Determined". NFL. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.

External links

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Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
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[Saints-6] The Broncos acquired an additional fourth-round selection in a trade that sent wide receiver Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints.^[5]

[Jets-8] The Broncos traded their sixth-round selection to the New York Jets in exchange for defensive end John Franklin-Myers.^[6]

[:0-1] 1 2 3 DiLalla, Aric (January 27, 2026). "Broncos part ways with three assistant coaches". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 28, 2026.

[2] DiLalla, Aric (January 26, 2026). "Broncos sign 6 players to future contracts". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 26, 2026.

[3] Tomasson, Chris (January 27, 2026). "Broncos sign OLB Garrett Nelson to futures contract". Denver Gazette. Retrieved January 28, 2026.

[4] "2026 Denver Broncos Free Agents". Spotrac. January 15, 2026. Retrieved January 15, 2026.

[5] DiLalla, Aric (August 20, 2025). "Broncos agree to terms on trade with Saints to acquire fourth-, seventh-round picks in exchange for WR Devaughn Vele". Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 20, 2025.

[7] DiLalla, Aric (April 29, 2024). "Broncos acquire DE John Franklin-Myers in trade with Jets". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 29, 2024.

[9] Morris, Bob (December 18, 2025). "Updated Look at Broncos' Projected Compensatory Draft Picks in 2026". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved December 18, 2025.

[10] "2026 Opponents Determined". NFL. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 5, 2026.

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v t e Denver Broncos
Founded in 1960 Based in Denver, Colorado Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado
Franchise	History All-time roster Starting quarterbacks Coaches Seasons First-round draft picks
Stadiums	Mile High Stadium Empower Field at Mile High New Broncos Stadium (proposed)
Key personnel	Owners Rob Walton Greg Penner (CEO) Carrie Walton Penner Mellody Hobson Condoleezza Rice Lewis Hamilton General manager George Paton Head coach Sean Payton
Culture	A Few Seconds of Panic Alan Roach Barrel Man Bucky the Bronco Cheerleaders "Elevation" Elway to Marino Everybody's All-American "Hold That Mork" (Mork & Mindy episode) "Joy to the World" Miles Orange Crush Defense "Rocky Mountain Way" South Park "Cartman's Mom Is a Dirty Slut" "Sarcastaball" Thunder "You Only Move Twice" (The Simpsons episode)
Lore	1977 season (Broncomania) Snowball Game The Drive The Fumble Tebowmania 3:16 game Mile High Miracle 2013 game vs. Dallas Cowboys No Fly Zone Mile High Meltdown
Rivalries	Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers Pittsburgh Steelers Seattle Seahawks Brady–Manning rivalry
Retired numbers	7 18 44
Division championships (16)	1977 1978 1984 1986 1987 1989 1991 1996 1998 2005 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2025
Conference championships (8)	1977 1986 1987 1989 1997 1998 2013 2015
League championships (3)	1997 (XXXII) 1998 (XXXIII) 2015 (50)
Media	Radio network Dave Logan Brian Griese Scott Hastings Ed McCaffrey Alan Roach TV: KUSA 9News Radio: 850 KOA (AM)
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1970–present) Conference: American Football Conference Division: West Division
Former league affiliation	League: American Football League (1960–1969)

v t e Denver Broncos seasons
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Bold indicates Super Bowl victory Italics indicates Super Bowl appearance