.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
This seems to happen more often than not. The free-agent signing period opens up, and fans of every team are waiting like it's Christmas morning to see what kinds of moves their team will make.
As soon as the Denver Broncos were defeated by the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, Broncos Country was calling for new offensive weapons to surround Bo Nix with. They needed a new running back. They needed a true No. 1 wide receiver, and they needed more at the tight end position. Getting those players would be sure to send the team to the next level next season, right?
Well, on the first day of the legal tampering period, the Broncos did none of those things. Instead, the Broncos made it clear that they are quite literally going to try and run it back. Instead of looking outside the organization, the team has re-signed Justin Strnad, Alex Singleton, Adam Trautman and J.K. Dobbins. The most-talked-about move the team has made so far wasn't even an addition. Instead, it was the release of linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Broncos trying to run it back in 2026
This can be looked at in many different ways. Are the Broncos being too frugal? Or are they genuinely happy with the roster they have and feel that they can get right back to the doorstep of advancing to the Super Bowl again next season?
Those are good questions, but with a new season comes new factors. First, the Broncos won a number of one-score games last season and it could be argued that they were just as lucky as they were good. In 2026, they will be playing a first-place schedule with many different challenges. It will be much more difficult to pull out those close victories next year.
One problem with free agency is it’s about the parts when football more than any sport is about the sum.
The #Broncos sum was 14-3 and top 4 team when their QB went down.
As for parts, remember Broncos signed 10 top players in 2024-25 so they wouldn’t need to replace holes thru… https://t.co/J0pnvRwy9i
That said, the Broncos had one of the best defensive units in the league. It seems clear that they don't want to break that up. However, if they weren't going to use any of their big spending on any of those offensive positions mentioned above, they likely could have just brought John Franklin-Meyers back.
It definitely seems like this front office wants nothing to do with the big price tags that are prevalent on this year's market, such as the deal that Franklin-Myers got. There are rumors that the Broncos were interested in Travis Etienne as well, but he signed for about $13 million per season.
The Broncos are just not looking to shell out that kind of money, so instead, they are looking to get the players they had last year to make a few extra plays here and there to get them over the top. They are also putting a lot of confidence in Dobbins' durability, at least for now.
HOT READ: Broncos' first-round pick is crystal clear following release of Dre Greenlaw
It's understandable for Broncos Country to consider this day a total loss for the Broncos. However, there is still plenty of time for the team to make something happen and it's certainly not a reason for mass panic... yet.
More Broncos Content
Grading Broncos' decision to release linebacker Dre Greenlaw
Denver Broncos: Instant reaction, grade for team re-signing linebacker Alex Singleton
Broncos may be selecting Mr. Irrelevant in 2026 NFL Draft
Broncos Free Agency: Instant reaction, grade for team re-signing J.K. Dobbins
John Franklin-Myers leaves Broncos for mega deal with Titans
English (US)