Weeks after falling three points short of the New England Patriots in the AFC championship, the Denver Broncos had a relatively mild free agency.
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The Broncos lost key defensive pieces like defensive end John-Franklin-Meyers, P.J. Locke and Dre Greenlaw.
Denver didn’t add splashy players last week, prioritizing re-signing or tendering 17 of their own players in a bid to run it back in 2026.
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On Wednesday, the Broncos made their biggest move of the offseason, trading for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
An NFL agent gave an interesting theory to Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom for why the Broncos did not sign a blue-chip veteran player during the first wave of free agency, something that is unusual for a team that made it so deep in the playoffs.
The agent suggested Denver’s front office had “issues finding common ground in their relationships with player representatives” this offseason. That could be a sign of trouble for the Broncos if they want to add key players in the future.
However, rival NFL executives suggested the Broncos are playing a shrewd long-term game of trying to add future draft picks. If Denver loses more quality free agents than they sign, the league will reward the front office with compensatory picks.
“Denver is playing the 2027 compensatory pick game, that’s their strategy,” an NFL official told La Canfora. “They want to stockpile pick. They let John Franklin-Myers walk and PJ Locke. That’s a four (projected fourth-round pick) and a seven.”
La Canfora noted the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots have used that strategy in recent years. It’s helped the Ravens stay in playoff contention while paying quarterback Lamar Jackson a hefty salary.
The Broncos gave up significant draft capital for Waddle, choosing to add a proven veteran on a reasonable contract over taking a rookie prospect with the No. 30 pick.
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