Sean Payton is passing up on the garage sale.
The Broncos are the lone NFL team not to sign an outside free agent since Monday, when the negotiation window opened. Denver elected to run it back with almost every available player tendered or re-signed from last season.
The only free agents not returning, so far, for the Broncos? Fullback Michael Burton, tight end Marcedes Lewis and offensive lineman Sam Mustipher. A short list.
The retain-and-develop strategy makes sense when you consider Payton’s offhand comments in August regarding free agency. The Broncos coach compared shopping for players to shopping for used furniture. Apparently, after going 14-3 and reaching the AFC Championship Game, he didn’t like the selection this year.
“My parents loved garage sale-ing. That was their deal, one thing they enjoyed together. And I think I had 10 couches growing up,” Payton recalled during a news conference at Broncos Park. “So, they come home with a new couch, and you’d remove the old one. And you were so excited — it was a sectional — until you sat in the left corner, and it wiggled. And then you realized why it was a free agent.”
Social media reaction suggests that vocal portions of the fan base are dismayed with the results. The Broncos can still sign an outside free agent. But the top available players at positions of need, like tight end and inside linebacker, are signed elsewhere.
The Broncos will now seek to upgrade their roster in the trade market and NFL draft.
Yet they evidently did their free agency homework. Now ex-Jaguars running back Travis Etienne told reporters in New Orleans that he chose the Saints over contract offers in Denver and Kansas City. The Broncos reportedly expressed interest in additional players who ultimately chose other destinations.
Broncos general manager George Paton vowed to be “opportunistically aggressive” in free agency. The team entered with about $24 million in cap room (according to OverTheCap.com), with Denver in the middle of the pack leaguewide regarding available cap space. But it’s clear the Broncos were not willing to overspend for the top free-agent targets this cycle.
Just take a look at some of the biggest running back and tight end contracts handed out in recent days.
— Jaguars RB Travis Etienne signed a four-year, $52 million deal with the Saints.
— Ravens TE Isaiah Likely signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Giants.
— Buccaneers TE Cade Otton re-signed in Tampa Bay on a three-year, $30 million contract.
— Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker signed a three-year, $43.05 million deal with the Chiefs.
Don’t be surprised if the Broncos make a sudden trade that changes the narrative of their offseason. But it’s fool’s gold to expect any draft pick to make an immediate impact. The Broncos’ first-round pick last year, cornerback Jahdae Barron (No. 20 overall), played on just 30% of the team’s overall defensive snaps.
It is clear that the Broncos believe their 2025 roster was good enough to win a championship. One foot injury to quarterback Bo Nix in the divisional round victory over Buffalo changed everything in pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy. It’s yet to be seen if fan angst for lack of movement in free agency will be justified.
There is still more inventory to consider at the garage sale.