First in a series previewing the Broncos’ 2026 roster in the weeks leading up to training camp in late July.
On the roster (three): Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger
How many on the 53? Two or three.
Most impactful offseason move: Re-signing Sam Ehlinger.
This was the only move the Broncos made this offseason, aside from bringing in a couple of tryout players during the spring and summer. The biggest story of the offseason, of course, was Nix’s rehabilitation from a pair of ankle operations. Bringing Ehlinger back for a second season on a one-year, $2 million deal, though, is quietly an important move. It sets up an interesting training camp behind Nix and it reaffirms the way the Denver coaching staff feels about the 27-year-old. Ehlinger had multiple opportunities to leave the Broncos last year and chose not to. Will he be as willing to stay put this time around?
Biggest question to answer in camp: Is Nix fully, fully healthy?
Pretty obvious here. Nix is going to field questions about the status of his right ankle until he puts together a good, long stretch of healthy play this fall, after two ankle operations this offseason. Fair or not, thatap the reality. Nix gradually increased his participation through the Broncos’ second week of OTAs and through their minicamp, which Payton cut from three days to two. In practices open to reporters, the third-year quarterback did not run full speed or do anything that approached 11-on-11 work, even though the team was not in pads. Payton said Nix would be ready to go full speed by the time camp starts. Nix said last month he had the second ankle surgery in April to address an issue with bone spurs, but he could have been at that point had the coaches wanted him to be. There will be a lot of eyes on the Broncos’ quarterback as Denver reports for camp, works through its ramp-up practices and toward the start of padded work, which, by the normal build-up, would likely arrive Aug. 3.
Battle to watch: Stidham and Ehlinger for the No. 2 job.
Itap conceivable the Broncos will keep three quarterbacks on their roster. Payton and company did so in 2024 with Zach Wilson but didn’t do so to begin 2025 when Ehlinger agreed to begin on the practice squad — an arrangement that lasted mere days before he was added to the 53-man roster. Regardless, somebody’s got to be Denver’s No. 2. Thatap been Stidham essentially since Payton arrived in Denver. Ehlinger this summer looked capable of mounting a challenge, though consistency over the course of training camp and preseason games is different than a handful of non-padded days in May and June. This decision won’t come down to money, but perhaps itap worth noting that Stidham has $2 million guaranteed and Ehlinger $1 million. Stidham carries an $8 million cap number. The Broncos would save $4.5 million on their cap if he’s released and $6.5 million if he’s traded. As a Super Bowl contender with $29.5 million in salary cap space, Denver doesn’t need financial flexibility as much as it needs reliable play if Nix misses time.
Under the radar: New quarterbacks coach Logan Kilgore.
Usually, this is an under-the-radar player, but letap take a little creative license in a three-man room that features all returning players. The newcomer is the 36-year-old standing at the front of the meeting room. Kilgore has been in Denver since Payton was hired and got a big promotion from offensive quality control coach to quarterbacks coach earlier this year when Davis Webb was promoted to offensive coordinator. Kilgore, a former quarterback himself who played in the CFL after college, started his coaching career only five years ago, working for free at Arkansas State. Players and coaches alike describe him as smart, hard-working and relatable.
“I know that he is going to do really well with this opportunity,” Nix said in June. “He’s going to work at it really well and nothing will go unturned. He will have a different perspective that Davis doesn’t have and thatap when collaboration is really good. I’m excited.
“He’s a great dude, and I think he enjoys being around us as people more than just players and thatap when you know you have a good football coach.”
