Broncos Free Agency Tracker: Sean Payton's first free agency in Denver kicks off

NFL free agency is here.

For the first time, Sean Payton and George Paton will begin to put their roster together in Denver.

On Monday Mar. 13 at 10 a.m. MT, the NFL’s legal tampering period opened, meaning the Denver Broncos could agree to contracts with free agents. On Wednesday, Mar. 15 at 2 p.m. MT, free agents can actually sign those contracts and officially join the team as the new league year begins.

Here’s the latest with the Broncos’ free agency and where the team stands.

You can find the moves the team made before free agency began here.

Most recent updates

Friday, Mar. 17

• The Broncos officially signed Mike Burton.
• The team officially signed Tremon Smith.

Thursday, Mar. 16

• Mike Klis reported that, “It doesn’t appear Denver is interested” in trading Jerry Jeudy or Courtland Sutton. This doesn’t completely shut the door on the team trading one of their receivers, but it does bring in the possibility that neither will be traded.
• The Broncos have re-signed safety P.J. Locke, the team announced. Although Locke was a restricted free agent, the team decided to re-sign him instead of tender him. Locke has been with the Broncos since 2019, playing in nearly every game for the team since the 2020 season. Not only is Locke safety depth, but he plays on special teams as well. Last year, Locke had two forced fumbles, one pass defended, one tackle for a loss and 22 total tackles.
• Denver officially signed Samaje Perine, the team announced.
• Former Broncos lineman Graham Glasgow is signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, officially ending his time in Denver.
• The team announced they officially re-signed Alex Singleton.
• The Broncos announced they officially signed Ben Powers.
• Former Broncos running back Chase Edmonds signed with the Buccaneers, officially ending his time in Denver.

Wednesday, Mar. 15

• The team announced they have officially signed Mike McGlinchey, Zach Allen, Jarrett Stidham and Chris Manhertz.
• Broncos former tight end Eric Saubert signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins, ending his time in Denver.
• The Patriots have called the Broncos about potentially acquiring Jerry Jeudy, according to Jeff Howe.
• Denver has reached an agreement with cornerback/kick returner Tremon Smith on a two-year deal with a maximum value of $5.5 million. Smith will receive a $1.4 million signing bonus. Smith ran a 4.33 40-yard dash. He was a sixth-round pick out of Central Arkansas in 2018.
• The Broncos’ asking price for Jerry Jeudy, if they were to trade him, is “at least a first-round pick,” according to Jeff Howe of the Athletic. This report builds off many other reports that the Broncos could be open to trading either Jeudy, Courtland Sutton or K.J. Hamler. Ben Allbright added that it’s possible neither Jeudy or Sutton are on the team next year.
• Mike Burton’s one-year contract with the Broncos is worth $1.3175 million with $1.066 million guaranteed.

Tuesday, Mar. 14

• Sean Payton has signed his former fullback Mike Burton to a one-year deal. Burton played under Payton in New Orleans in 2019 and 2020. He won a Super Bowl last year as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Burton was a fifth-round pick out of Rutgers in 2015.
• Denver attempted to sign receiver Allen Lazard before he signed a four-year, $44 million deal with the Jets, according to Ari Meirov. The Broncos made an aggressive push and “did get close in the end” but Lazard ultimately chose to sign with New York. This report comes on the heels of many other reports indicating the Broncos are open to trading one of their top receivers, including Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy or K.J. Hamler.
• The Broncos have agreed to terms with running back Samaje Perine on a two-year, $7.5 million deal with an additional $1 million in incentives. Perine was a fourth-round pick in 2017 out of Oklahoma. He spent the past three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals where he did it all, from rushing, to blocking, to receiving. Over the past three years, the 5-foot-11, 240-pound back averaged 4.4 yards per carry and racked up 549 receiving yards. Perine with pair alongside Javonte Williams once Williams returns from his injury.
• Former Broncos offensive lineman Calvin Anderson signed a two-year deal with the New England Patriots, ending his time in Denver.
• The Broncos waived WRs Freddie Swain and Victor Bolden.
• The Broncos released Ronald Darby with a failed physical designation. Darby tore his ACL last year.

Monday, Mar. 13

• Dre’Mont Jones signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
• The Broncos have agreed to terms with defensive lineman Zach Allen from the Arizona Cardinals. Allen will receive a three-year, $45.75M deal with $32.5M guaranteed. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound lineman played all four of his seasons in the NFL under Broncos’ new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. In the past two seasons, Allen emerged as a force on the defensive line, racking up 9.5 sacks, 15 TFLs, 34 QB hits and 12 passes defended. Allen’s addition very likely signals the end of Dre’Mont Jones’ time in Denver.
• Alex Singleton and the Broncos have agreed on a three-year, $18 million deal with $9 million in guarantees that will bring the inside linebacker back to Denver. Singleton led the team in tackles last year, racking up a whopping 163. In the past three seasons, the first two with the Eagles, Singleton has 420 total tackles. Singleton will be alongside Josey Jewell for a second-straight season in 2023.
• The Broncos have agreed to terms with tight end Chris Manhertz on a two-year deal worth $6 million with $3.34 million guaranteed. At 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, the big tight end is known for his blocking and will bring that to the Broncos. Manhertz played under Sean Payton in parts of the 2015 and 2016 seasons in New Orleans. In his eight year career, he has 24 catches for 255 yards and 2 TDs. Manhertz was the 17th-best run blocking tight end in the NFL last year out of 99 qualified tight ends, according to Sports Info Solutions.
• Denver did not tender Jonathan Kongo, but did place the exclusive rights free agent tender on Corliss Waitman, Quinn Bailey and Jonas Griffith. Each of their tenders will cost the Broncos $940,000.
• The Broncos did not tender any of their restricted free agents.
• Denver is making another massive splash on the offensive line, signing right tackle Mike McGlinchey to a five-year, $87.5 million deal with $50 million guaranteed, first reported by Dianna Russini. McGlinchey was the ninth-overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2018 draft. He has stated 69 career games, including all 17 last year for the 49ers.
• The Broncos are signing quarterback Jarrett Stidham to a two-year, $10 million deal with $5 million guaranteed, first reported by Ian Rapoport. Stidham was a fourth-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2019. He was traded to the Raiders last year, where he received his first two NFL starts.
• Ben Powers received a four-year, $52 million deal from the Broncos for an average of $13 million per season. Powers received $28.5 million in guarantees.
• The Broncos first move in free agency is a big one. The team plans to sign guard Ben Powers to a four-year deal, first reported by Mike Klis. Powers was the 4th-best offensive lineman in the entire NFL last year, according to Sports Info Solutions. He ranked as the 3rd-best run blocking offensive lineman and the 15th-best pass blocking lineman. Powers had his breakout season last year, starting in all 17 games at left guard for the Ravens.

• The Broncos are not going to tender restricted free agent Brett Rypien, first by Mike Klis. By not placing the tender on him, Rypien will become a free agent. In his four years with the Broncos, Rypien started three games for the Broncos, including two last season. With letting Rypien test the free agent market, the Broncos are now in need of a backup quarterback.

Friday, Mar. 10

• On Friday, by moving on from Graham Glasgow, Ronald Darby and Chase Edmonds, the Broncos freed up nearly $27 million in cap space. Entering the weekend, the team has roughly $37 million in cap space.
• The Broncos released Graham Glasgow. The move saved Denver $11 million in cap space with $3 million in dead money. Glasgow signed a four-year, $44 million deal with Denver in 2020. He played in 37 total games for the Broncos on the interior of their offensive line.
• Denver released Ronald Darby. Moving on from the veteran cornerback saved the Broncos $9.7 million in cap space while only taking on $3 million in dead cap. Darby signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Broncos in 2021. He started a combined 16 games over the previous two seasons in Denver.
• The Broncos released Chase Edmonds. The move frees up $5.92 million in cap space for the Broncos with no dead money. Denver acquired Edmonds from the Dolphins in the Bradley Chubb trade last year.

Signed free agents

• CB/returner Tremon Smith — Two-year deal with a maximum value of $5.5 million
• FB Mike Burton — One-year, $1.3175 million contract with $1.066 million guaranteed
• RB Samaje Perine — Two-year, $7.5 million contract with an additional $1 million in incentives
• DL Zach Allen — Three-year, $45.75 million contract with $32.5 million guaranteed
• TE Chris Manhertz — Two-year, $6 million contract with $3.34 million guaranteed
• RT Mike McGlinchey — Five-year, $87.5 million deal with $50 million guaranteed
• QB Jarrett Stidham — Two-year, $10 million deal with $5 million guaranteed
• OG Ben Powers — Four-year, $52 million deal with $28.5 million guaranteed
• WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey

Impending unrestricted free agents

Re-signed

• S P.J. Locke
• ILB Alex Singleton — Three-year, $18 million contract with $9 million guaranteed

Signed by a different team

• OL Graham Glasgow (Lions)
• TE Eric Saubert (Dolphins)
• OT Calvin Anderson (Patriots)
• DL Dre’Mont Jones (Seahawks)
• RB Mike Boone (Texans)
• FB/TE Andrew Beck (Texans)

Unsigned

• OG Dalton Risner
• S Kareem Jackson
• DE DeShawn Williams
• RB Latavius Murray
• OT Billy Turner
• OT Tom Compton
• TE Eric Tomlinson
• OT Cameron Fleming
• CB Darius Phillips
• RB Marlon Mack
• LB Dakota Allen

Restricted free agents

Tendered

• Team did not tender any of their restricted free agents.

Not tendered

• QB Brett Rypien
• S P.J. Locke — Did not tender, but did re-sign
• CB Essang Bassey
• LS Jacob Bobenmoyer

Exclusive rights free agents

Tendered

• ILB Jonas Griffith
• P Corliss Waitman
• OL Quinn Bailey

Not tendered

• OLB Jonathan Kongbo