Heading into the offseason, there are plenty of questions to be asked in the Mile High City, especially regarding the ones who should be offered a Broncos contract extension. The team has already announced its plans to move on from quarterback Russell Wilson and his massive contract.
Past that, there are 15 players set to hit unrestricted free agency. What went wrong for the Broncos and how can they rebuild? Well, the Broncos have to be in rebuild mode after the up-and-down 2023 season. The question is just who deserves to stick around and who deserves a high dollar contract?
Potential Free Agents
As mentioned, there are 15 players set to hit unrestricted free agents this offseason. Most of them come on the defensive side of the ball, with five defensive backs, five linebackers, and two defensive linemen all needing new deals.
Each player brings something to the table, but it is highly unlikely that the Broncos keep everyone in town. For that reason, let’s look at the key players and whether they are likely to stick around and wear the orange and blue next year.
Kareem Jackson, S
Jackson signed a three-year, $33 million deal in 2019 but that final year was an option which the team declined. He was brought back on a one-year deal instead. He’s gotten a pair of one-year deals since then and remains a popular player in the locker room. That said, he’ll be 35 years old, and the team clearly needs new blood.
S Kareem Jackson has been activated from the Reserve/Suspended list.
📰 » https://t.co/AeA8gABJp5 pic.twitter.com/ImUY4cG1FT
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 15, 2023
Josey Jewell, LB
Originally allowed to test the market ahead of the 2022 season, the Jewell came back into the fold on a two-year, $11M deal. Since then, he’s been solid for the Broncos. That said, he’s not a priority, especially with Drew Sanders showing promise and being expected to grab a starting job in 2024.
Meet ya at the QB. 🤝@josey_jewell x @RandyGregory_4 pic.twitter.com/5vLclxmbDo
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 20, 2023
Lloyd Cushenberry III, C
Though he struggled early in his career, Cushenberry has shown steady improvement and even looked solid this past season. Center typically doesn’t command a large cap hit, so the Broncos can likely get him for a reasonable deal and keep cohesion on the offensive line.
#Broncos C Lloyd Cushenberry Projected for $57M Contract in 2024 FA
READ: https://t.co/vk6hIe0ERL pic.twitter.com/CRuXlZNAtu
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) December 20, 2023
Mike Purcell, DL
In 2020, Purcell signed a three-year, $11.5M deal. He has been team-friendly, renegotiating his deal twice since then. All that said, Purcell is 33 years old and at best a depth player. Look for Purcell to depart as part of the youth movement.
https://twitter.com/superbowl3n/status/1697082736060825839
K’Waun Williams, CB
Brought in on a cheap two-year, $5.2M deal in 2022, Williams has been a bright spot, especially last season. He missed three games in 2022 and those injury concerns continued into 2023. He began on injured reserve then required surgery. Ja’Quan McMillian played well in his absence, so it is unlikely that Williams will return.
#49ers CB K'Waun Williams is closing in on a two-year, $7 million deal with the #Broncos, per @mike_e_kaye pic.twitter.com/2H5cysOqBj
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) March 22, 2022
Wil Lutz, K
The Broncos have not been great over the last few years and Lutz has been one of the most consistent performers over that span. He started slow but really caught fire, only missing one field goal (a block in Week 8) after the first few weeks. Though the team may look into a rookie kicker, bringing back Lutz seems ideal.
Russell Wilson and the Broncos steal the win late in the 21-20 SNF thriller againts the Vikings 🔥
Russ:
27/35, 259 YDS, 1 TD, 106.7 QB rtgWill Lutz:
5/5 FG, 15 PTS pic.twitter.com/TktXmYHFN3— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 20, 2023
Jordan Harris, DL
Harris, an undrafted free agent, has been with the Broncos since 2019 in some capacity. He managed to start five games in 2023 but has yet to show that he can really take the next step into being an every-game starter. Depending on the price, he could come back as a depth piece to compete for a roster spot.
P.J. Locke, S
Locke started the season by missing the first four games. Since then, he has become a fixture on special teams and even got a start in Week 8, the first of his career. If they can get him back on a low-cost, short-term deal, he should come back just to fill out depth.
Jonas Griffith, LB
Griffith is perhaps the biggest wild card on the roster. He started eight games in 2022 and definitely showed promise. He tore his ACL in training camp and then missed all of 2023. He’s restricted, so the Broncos may be able to use leverage to bring him back on a low-cost deal and see what, if anything, is still there.
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonas Griffith (50) takes part in drills during an NFL football training camp at the team’s headquarters Friday, July 28, 2023, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Conclusion: Who Deserves A Broncos Contract Extension?
There are going to be a lot of changes coming down the pike in Denver. The odds for Denver Broncos to make a better season in 2024/25 and get the playoff spot they miss since 2015 are not looking bright so far.
Though there are talented pieces in place, the decision to move on from Wilson at quarterback signaled a significant change. Coach Sean Payton will want to bring in his guys and establish his culture.
That will likely mean a lot of veteran departures from the Broncos. Though a few names are likely to stick around, there should be a significant youth movement for the Broncos in 2024. A few veterans may be brought in to provide stability and drive competition across the board. That said, this is going to be a much different-looking Broncos team than we are used to.
