The Denver Broncos fell one game short of reaching Super Bowl LX and will have to look at making a run at it again next year. But in the world of the NFL, where roster turnover is high, there will be many players from this year's team who won't be back next year.
When going into the offseason, teams will immediately look at their books and see where money can be saved in order to go get the pieces they feel are missing from being able to put their best foot forward.
The Broncos won't have to pay the dead money in Russell Wilson's contract starting next season, which will be a huge relief for the team. The Broncos have several key players set to hit free agency and there are other players who could be released from their contracts in order to free up additional cap space.
4 Broncos players who may not be back in 2026
John Franklin-Myers, DL
This would be unfortunate, but the handwriting seems like it has been on the wall this entire season for the team to move on from John Franklin-Myers, who will hit free agency in the offseason.
While the Broncos handed out contract extensions to a number of players this season, including Nik Bonitto, Courtland Sutton, Zach Allen, Luke Wattenburg and Wil Lutz, an extension was not given to Franklin-Myers. When you factor in that the Broncos traded back into the third round last spring to select Sai'vion Jones, a player who has always seemed like a replacement for Franklin-Myers, it just feels like the two sides are headed for a split and that JFM will play somewhere else next season.
Alex Singleton, LB
Alex Singleton is one of the leaders of the defense and top tacklers on the team. His story of overcoming cancer during this season further endeared him to the fanbase, but from a business standpoint, the Broncos will have to ask themselves how much more they want to invest in a 32-year-old linebacker.
Singleton will be a free agent this offseason, but so will Justin Strnad. The Broncos may choose to pay the younger, cheaper player and use him along with Dre Greenlaw while looking for another strong option in the draft.
Matt Peart, OL
Matt Peart did not play in Sunday's loss to the Patriots as he has been on injured reserve for a good chunk of the season. He can be useful as a rotational offensive lineman off the bench but the Broncos can save $3.2 million against the salary cap by cutting him and with the emergence of Frank Crum, the team will likely choose this route.
The Broncos could also save $8.4 million against the cap by moving on from Mike McGlinchey. If they really believe in Crum, that could be a possibility as well.
Jarrett Stidham, QB
Following his performance in the AFC Championship Game, there will be a litany of Broncos fans who never want to see Jarrett Stidham play for the team again. Sean Payton likes having him on the team, but he is also likely disappointed after the way he played when he had to turn to him on Sunday.
Still, the Broncos lost to the Patriots for many reasons and Stidham's play was only a part of that. The weather in that game made as much of an impact as anything, and that would have to be taken into consideration.
Between salary cap savings and a $3.5 million hit in dead money, the Broncos would only get back $1 million by cutting Stidham, so if it happens, it's truly because the team just wants to move on from him.
READ: Broncos have a silver lining despite loss in AFC Championship Game
Payton will likely stand behind him and be happy to go into 2026 with him as his No. 2 quarterback.
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