The Denver Broncos have a significant number of players set to be free agents in 2022. Amongst them are a handful of key players at the non-skill positions. With one of the best cap situations in the NFL, Denver is in a good position to improve their roster in free agency.
Denver Broncos free agents in 2022
Following the conclusion of the 2021 NFL season, the Broncos have 27 players with expiring contracts. 17 of them will be unrestricted free agents, three are exclusive rights free agents, and seven are restricted free agents. All players are unrestricted free agents unless stated.
Top Broncos offensive free agents
Most of the Broncos’ top free agents are on the other side of the ball. Just 10 of them are on offense. Let’s take a look at the most prominent free agents on offense.
Teddy Bridgewater | QB
Prior to the 2021 season, the Broncos signed Teddy Bridgewater to a one-year contract to be their — no pun intended — bridge QB. Bridgewater was exactly who he’s always been — serviceable. He’s never going to elevate a team, but he’s undoubtedly one of the 32 best quarterbacks on the planet.
Heading into 2022, it doesn’t sound as if the Broncos are interested in bringing Bridgewater back. This is a roster loaded with talent and set to make a run at the Super Bowl … if they can just get a quarterback.
Bridgewater reportedly wants a multi-year deal worth over $25 million a year. But the Broncos need to do better than Bridgewater, and they know it. I don’t expect him to get the deal he wants, and if he does, it won’t be from Denver.
I fully expect Bridgewater to make starts in 2022. He may even land a starting job somewhere. In the meantime, look for Denver to go after every top quarterback on the market.
Melvin Gordon | RB
The Broncos signed Melvin Gordon to a two-year deal prior to the 2020 season. He is now 29 years old and a free agent.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Broncos traded up in the second round to draft Javonte Williams. Last year, Williams proved he is not only good at football, but vastly superior to Gordon.
I see no reason for the Broncos to spend any big money to bring Gordon back. With that said, I would not rule out Gordon returning to the Broncos on a one-year, team-friendly deal. It all depends on what Gordon wants and what the market for him looks like.
After watching Gordon play in 2021, I’m confident he still has something left in the tank. He’s not Chargers Gordon, but he can be one-half of a committee. Wherever Gordon ends up, don’t expect him to sign anything more than a one or two-year contract.
Top Broncos defensive free agents
The Broncos have a whopping 17 defensive players set to hit free agency. Amongst them are key members of their secondary. They can certainly afford to bring these guys back, but will they?
Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan | CB
Both of the Broncos’ starting cornerbacks are set to become free agents. Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan made a combined $15.6 million last year. They are two of the team’s three most expensive expiring contracts.
Fuller will be 30 years old, but he’s just two years removed from consecutive Pro Bowl appearances. Callahan is talented, but he’s dealt with injuries for the better part of the past two seasons.
Ultimately, both are starting-caliber cornerbacks in the NFL. The Broncos have the sixth-most salary cap space available right now, according to Spotrac. With $39 million, they should make it a point to re-sign both. Between the two, I’m more confident Callahan returns to Denver, but I expect both to be back.
Both have had similar career arcs. Each is 30 years old and started with the Bears before joining the Broncos within the past two seasons. Most importantly, they both can still play.
Kareem Jackson | S
The Broncos almost lost 12-year veteran Kareem Jackson in free agency last offseason. Prior to free agency, they were unable to restructure his contract but re-signed him to a one-year deal anyway. All Jackson did in 2021 was lead the Broncos in tackles.
At 34, the man can still play. Given his age, the market for him will not be as strong as it would be if he were younger. If Denver wants to bring him back, they will. They have the money to do it, so it comes down to whether the two sides can work out a deal. If not, I expect Jackson to get the 2-3 year deal he wants from another team.
Alexander Johnson | LB
Alexander Johnson is a tricky name to figure out. The man made his NFL debut at age 27 just four years ago. He quickly developed into a starter, averaging over 100 tackles between 2019 and 2020. However, his 2021 season was cut short after six games due to injury.
I would tentatively expect Johnson to return to the Broncos. Yet, I doubt he’s a priority. Look for Johnson to test to the open market, and if he doesn’t like what he sees, to return to Denver on a short, team-friendly contract.
The Broncos’ other free agents in 2022
What other Broncos players are free agents in 2022? Some of these players inevitably won’t return next season.
- Bobby Massie | RT
- Stephen Weatherly | DE
- Shamar Stephen | DT
- Mike Ford | CB
- Cameron Fleming | T
- Eric Saubert | TE
- Nate Hairston | CB
- Brett Jones | C
- Micah Kiser | LB (RFA)
- Josey Jewell | LB
- Kenny Young | LB
- DeShawn Williams | DT (RFA)
- Diontae Spencer | WR (RFA)
- Brett Rypien | QB (RFA)
- P.J. Locke | S (ERFA)
- Jonas Griffith | LB (ERFA)
- Adrian Killins | RB (ERFA)
- Malik Reed | LB (RFA)
- Andrew Beck | FB
- Natrez Patrick | LB (RFA)
- Calvin Anderson | T (RFA)