Predicting Which Broncos Free Agents Stay, Go

The Denver Broncos will soon have to decide which free agents factor into the future.

The Denver Broncos have 15 unrestricted free agents and four restricted free agents for 2024. The question to ask about all of them is whether or not they can be kept as part of a rebuild.

When a team needs to rebuild, it’s fine to keep younger players, though one has to ask which ones are a priority to retain. The good news is the Broncos don’t have any priority free agents and, thus, shouldn’t need to pay top-dollar contracts.

But there may be a few players who are worth bringing back at the right price. Others, though, need to be allowed to depart.

Let’s look at the Broncos’ pending free agents and figure out who may be worth keeping and who shouldn’t be retained,

Kareem Jackson | S

Jackson originally signed a three-year, $33 million contract back in 2019 but the final year was an option. The Broncos declined the option but brought him back on a one-year deal.

Jackson has received two more one-year deals over the past two seasons, but he will be 35 years old next season. While he is a popular player in the locker room, it’s for the best if the Broncos let him depart. They need to allow younger players to step up.

Lloyd Cushenberry III | C

Denver Broncos center Lloyd Cushenberry (79) lines up against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Cushenberry struggled in his first couple of seasons with the Broncos, though he showed slight improvement. This season, though, he is playing much better.

Cushenberry has gone from a player whom the Broncos were likely to allow to depart to one who may warrant an extension. Since center isn’t a position that usually commands big money, the Broncos may be able to let Cushenberry test the market first, then bring him back if he doesn’t find a deal he likes.

Josey Jewell | LB

Denver Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell (47) tackles Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High.

The Broncos allowed Jewell to test the market in 2022, then brought him back on a two-year, $11M contract. He’s been a steady producer for the Broncos since.

However, Jewell is not a priority to bring back. While rookie Drew Sanders has had his issues, that’s not unusual for rookies. The Broncos would be better served to let Jewell depart and prepare for Sanders to start in 2024.

K’Waun Williams | CB

Dec 25, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield (17) throws against Denver Broncos cornerback K'Waun Williams (21) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos added Williams on a two-year, $5.2M contract in 2022. He was one of the bright spots for the team that year, though he missed three games.

This year, though, Williams started the season on injured reserve because of an ankle injury, and then needed additional surgery. With Ja’Quan McMillian playing well this season, there’s no need for the Broncos to bring WIlliams back.

Mike Purcell | DL

Denver Broncos nose tackle Mike Purcell (98) in the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High.

Purcell originally signed a three-year, $11.5M contract back in 2020. Since then, he has twice renegotiated his deal to lower his base salary.

Though the Broncos are in need of plenty of help on the defensive line, it’s for the best to allow Purcell to leave. He’ll be 33 years old and the Broncos should get younger at the position.