The Denver Broncos will get a lot better this offseason. Though not everyone in Broncos Country agrees on the best way to make that happen.
Good morning, Broncos Country.
It’s the calm before the offseason storm.
The 2025 NFL Combine begins one week from today. Roughly two weeks after that, this year’s free agency period will start. Armed with ample salary cap space and picks in the first three rounds for the first time since 2021, there is no doubt the Denver Broncos are going to get better this offseason.
However, not everyone across Broncos Country has the same dream scenario for how that pans out. Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked draft philosophy, the biggest needs on the team, and some potential free agent targets for the Broncos. There haven’t been a lot of items or themes most people agreed upon other than acquiring a ‘joker’ that can help propel Bo Nix and his teammates to the next level.
With that said, I’d like to ask you all what your dream offseason for the Broncos entails. What’s your vision and plan to make this team a Super Bowl contender? Feel free to share yours in the comments section and check out a quick outline of mine below.
In-house priority: Agree to a multi-year contract extension with Zach Allen
After a dominant 2024 campaign that earned second-team All-Pro honors, defensive lineman Zach Allen set himself up for a big pay raise. The Broncos front office did a tremendous job extending Patrick Surtain II, Quinn Meinerz, and Garett Bolles last year. They were ahead of the curve in that regard and it paid dividends for the team.
While he is under contract for the 2025 season, I’d like to see a multi-year extension happen this offseason with Allen. He was one of the best defensive players in the National Football League last year and a tone-setter for the Broncos’ defensive front. Keeping him in the fold long-term is a must. Sure, the extension will be hefty, but losing Allen next offseason potentially to free agency would be a significant blow to the team’s vision moving forward.
And how about bringing another Zach back? But this one—Mr. Wilson!
Head Coach Sean Payton, General Manager George Paton, and the rest of the Broncos brass found themselves their quarterback of the future by drafting Bo Nix with the 12th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, they will need to figure out who his backup for their ‘25 campaign will be.
Both Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson are free agents. I doubt the team will bring both of them back, but I’m quite confident they’d like to bring back one given their knowledge of the playbook. Who do they value more? I can’t know for sure, but I’d like Wilson to come back. He was a former top pick and is still only 25 years old.
Free Agency: Prioritize adding a receiver, linebacker, and safety
This year’s salary cap is expected to grow by several million dollars. That should put the Broncos on the cups of nearly $40 million to spend before any restructures, accounting for restricted or exclusive rights free agents, or signing one of the quarterbacks above. Keep in mind a portion of that will also have to be allocated for their draft class.
Even so, the Broncos shouldn’t have a problem addressing multiple needs in free agency. They have a lot of flexibility relative to the cap courtesy of Nix being locked in on a rookie deal for several more seasons. After securing a playoff spot for the first time in nearly a decade and winning 10 games, the future looks bright in the Mile High City. With that in mind, I feel it will be an attractive destination for free agents.
We’ve talked about players like Tee Higgins, Cooper Kupp, and Deebo Samuel at wide receiver. There’s a shot Higgins gets tagged and isn’t available, but I have no issue with Denver kicking the tires on Kupp or Samuel to add more firepower to the offense. It just would have to be at an amicable price point.
One player I could see them targeting is Allen Lazard if he is cut from the Jets. Reports surfaced last year that the Jets’ owner decided against a trade for Jerry Jeudy that would have sent Lazard and a draft pick back to the Broncos. The Jets will need to shed some salary cap space, so Lazard could be on the market. If so, I expect Denver to be very interested.
On defense, I’d like to see them sign a starting caliber linebacker and safety. Those are two positions that arguably need the most help long-term on that side of the ball. Perhaps one of them could be a high-profile acquisition, but I’m leaning more towards tier 2 signings for cap purposes.
2025 NFL Draft: Draft Three Rookie Impact Players
For the first time since 2021, the Broncos are scheduled to have all their original selections in the first four rounds. They lack picks in the fifth and seventh rounds but do have three sixth round draft picks. Asking for them to hit on three impact players in this draft might be a tough ask, but I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility.
A running back and tight end combo with two of their first three picks seems like an easy path to make that happen. Denver has a big void of talent there and plenty of opportunity for snap share to be earned. It’s a deep class at both positions and I’m confident the Broncos will find a way to get guys they covet. Getting Nix set up with a running back and tight end to develop alongside should be a focal point for Denver’s draft endeavors.
Pending on how free agency actually pans out, I could also see them adding a defender in the first four rounds (perhaps even two) that could compete for starting spots. Maybe that’s a defensive lineman if they let D.J. Jones go in free agency. Perhaps it’s a safety or linebacker that has Day 1 starting ability. And who knows? Maybe they strike gold in the sixth round with three darts to throw at the board.
Anyhow, that’s the overview of my Broncos’ dream 2025 offseason. Don’t forget to share yours in the comments! As always, thanks for reading. Here is today’s slate of articles for Horse Tracks.
Broncos News and Tidbits
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Broncos Predicted To Steal 30-TD Running Back in 1st Round of 2025 NFL Draft
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Mile High Morning: 6 Broncos nominated for Madden NFL 25 Ultimate Team
Until Feb. 20, EA Sports is allowing fans to vote on which players should receive the game’s top honor from the previous season.
‘It’s going to be huge for us’: Colorado high school coaches, parents excited for benefits of Broncos’ ALL IN. ALL COVERED. helmet initiative
Browning and coaches from more than a dozen Colorado Springs-area high schools were able to learn more about the Denver Broncos Foundation’s partnership with Riddell at Tuesday’s caravan at Mitchell High School.
NFL News and Tidbits
Shedeur Sanders landing spots: Seven teams most likely to pick Colorado QB in 2025 NFL Draft
Shedeur Sanders is arguably one of the top two quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Who might snag him in April? Eric Edholm identifies the seven teams most likely to select the Colorado product.
NFL to return to São Paulo, Brazil in Week 1 of 2025 season; Chargers designated team
As part of the 2025 International Games, the Los Angeles Chargers will play as the designated team in São Paulo at Corinthians Arena, home to Brazilian soccer team SC Corinthians, on Friday night of Week 1 of the 2025 regular season.
NFL salary cap projected at $277.5M to $281.5M per team for 2025 season
The NFL provided clubs a projected salary cap range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million per club for the 2025 season, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday.
Lions WR Jameson Williams won’t face NFL discipline over gun
Lions wideout Jameson Williams will not face discipline from the NFL for carrying an unlicensed gun, with a league spokesman confirming to ESPN that the matter is closed.