Writing on Wall for Free Agent in the Denver Broncos

As the 2025 NFL season winds down and the Denver Broncos chase the AFC’s No. 1 seed, a quieter but equally critical story is unfolding: the future of the team’s impending free agents. For several key players—from breakout defensive stars to veteran offensive contributors—the "writing on the wall" is becoming clear: some will ink new deals to stay in orange and blue, while others will likely test the open market in March. Writing on Wall for Free Agent in the Denver Broncos isn’t just about contract negotiations; it’s about the Broncos’ long-term roster strategy, salary cap constraints, and how they balance winning now with building for the future. For fans, it’s a season of mixed emotions—celebrating current success while wondering which fan favorites will return. For the players, it’s a period of uncertainty, as they weigh loyalty to the team against the chance to secure their financial future.

Writing on Wall for Free Agent in the Denver Broncos is most apparent for linebacker Drew Sanders, the team’s breakout defensive star and a pending unrestricted free agent. Sanders—who leads the Broncos with 120 tackles, 7 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles in 2025—has become the heart of the defense, a player coach Sean Payton has called "irreplaceable" in press conferences. But the writing on the wall here leans toward retention: the Broncos have already opened preliminary contract talks with Sanders’ agent, and NFL insiders report the team is willing to offer a four-year deal worth around $60 million—making him one of the highest-paid linebackers in the league. The Broncos’ urgency to keep Sanders stems from both his on-field production and the thinness of the 2026 linebacker free agent class. "Drew is the kind of player you build a defense around," general manager George Paton told The Denver Post. "He’s young (25), he’s durable, and he’s a leader in the locker room. We’re doing everything we can to make sure he stays a Bronco." Sanders, too, has signaled his desire to remain in Denver, telling reporters after a Week 12 win, "This team believed in me when not many others did. I want to win a Super Bowl here." For Sanders, the writing on the wall is clear: Denver wants him, and he wants Denver—a rare alignment in free agency.

Writing on Wall for Free Agent in the Denver Broncos tells a different story for wide receiver Tyler Boyd, a veteran who joined the team on a one-year deal in 2025. Boyd, who has 45 catches for 550 yards and 4 touchdowns this season, has been a reliable third option behind Jerry Jeudy and Troy Franklin, but his role has diminished in recent weeks as Franklin has emerged as a top target. The writing on the wall here points to departure: the Broncos have a young core of wide receivers (Franklin is 23, Jeudy is 26) and are unlikely to invest heavily in a 31-year-old slot receiver, especially with salary cap space needed for Sanders and other defensive free agents. Boyd has acknowledged the reality, saying in a recent interview, "I love this team and this city, but I understand this is a business. If the Broncos don’t have a spot for me, I’ll look for a place where I can contribute more." The Broncos, for their part, have not closed the door entirely—they may offer a one-year "prove-it" deal—but the odds favor Boyd leaving. For him, the writing on the wall is about role and opportunity: Denver’s future at wide receiver belongs to its younger players, and Boyd’s best chance to keep playing meaningful snaps lies elsewhere.

Writing on Wall for Free Agent in the Denver Broncos also involves tough decisions on the offensive line, where right tackle Mike McGlinchey is set to become an unrestricted free agent. McGlinchey, who signed a five-year deal with the Broncos in 2022, has been a solid starter but has struggled with injuries in 2025, missing three games with a knee sprain. The Denver Broncos face a dilemma here: McGlinchey is a proven veteran, but he’s 30 years old and likely seeking a multi-year deal worth $14–16 million per year—money the Broncos may not be willing to spend on an aging lineman with injury concerns. The writing on the wall leans toward a split: the Broncos have been grooming rookie tackle Marcus Henderson (a 2025 third-round pick) to take over at right tackle, and Henderson has impressed in spot starts this season. "Mike has been a great Bronco, but we have to plan for the future," Paton said. "Marcus has shown he can handle the job, and it’s our responsibility to get younger and more cost-effective where we can." McGlinchey, meanwhile, has drawn interest from teams like the Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who need help on the offensive line. For the Broncos, letting McGlinchey go is a difficult but necessary part of roster turnover—a reminder that even solid veterans can be replaced when the writing on the wall points to a younger option.

Writing on Wall for Free Agent in the Denver Broncos is shaped by the team’s salary cap situation, which will dictate how many free agents they can retain. Entering the 2026 off-season, the Broncos are projected to have around $45 million in cap space—a healthy number, but one that must be allocated carefully. They need to sign Sanders, re-sign key special teams contributors (like long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer), and potentially add depth at running back and defensive tackle. This cap reality means some fan favorites will be let go, even if they’ve been productive. For example, defensive end Zach Allen (6 sacks in 2025) is a pending free agent, but the Broncos may choose to let him walk to prioritize Sanders and keep cap room for a running back upgrade. "Cap space is like oxygen in the NFL—you need it to survive," said former Broncos executive John Elway, now an analyst for NFL Network. "The Broncos have to make tough choices: do they keep a good defensive end or their franchise linebacker? The writing on the wall says they choose the linebacker, because he’s younger and more foundational." The Denver Broncos’ front office has a history of making these tough calls—they let Bradley Chubb go in 2024 to free up cap space—and 2026 will be no different. For fans, it’s a reminder that loyalty often takes a backseat to fiscal responsibility in the NFL.

Writing on Wall for Free Agent in the Denver Broncos is ultimately about balance—between winning now and building for later, between retaining veterans and developing young talent, and between fan expectations and financial reality. For players like Sanders, the future is bright in Denver; for players like Boyd and Allen, the future lies elsewhere. For the Broncos, the goal is to retain the core of a team that’s currently 9-2 and in contention for a Super Bowl, while ensuring they’re not left with a roster void in 2026 and beyond. "Free agency is always a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity," Payton said. "You get to keep the players who fit your culture and your scheme, and you get to add new pieces who can help you win. The writing on the wall isn’t always easy to read, but we have a plan, and we’re going to stick to it." For Broncos fans, the off-season will be a time of waiting—waiting to see who stays, who goes, and how the team reloads for another playoff run. But one thing is clear: the writing on the wall says the Broncos are committed to winning, and they’ll make the moves necessary to keep chasing that next Super Bowl trophy.