From the Mile High City to New Beginnings: Broncos Cuts Find New Homes

Ah, the NFL offseason – it's a whirlwind, isn't it? Especially those tense weeks leading up to the final 53-man roster deadline. For every player who makes the cut, there are countless others facing the heartbreaking reality of being released. Here in Denver, under the discerning eyes of Head Coach Sean Payton and General Manager George Paton, those decisions are never easy, yet they're absolutely critical for shaping the team's identity and future.

When August rolls around, the pressure really ratchets up. You see players battling their hearts out in preseason games, knowing full well that every snap, every block, every tackle is being scrutinized. And then, the inevitable cutdown day arrives, typically around late August. It's a day of tough goodbyes and difficult phone calls from the Broncos' facility in Englewood, Colorado. So many hopefuls, so few spots.

Consider the story of a player like safety Sam Franklin Jr. A six-year veteran, someone who's put in the work, even signing a guaranteed contract for a respectable sum. Yet, he still found himself waived. That's the cold, hard business side of professional football right there. It doesn't matter your experience or even a recent contract; if the fit isn't perfect, or if a younger, cheaper option emerges, tough choices are made. But here's the thing: a veteran like Franklin often has plenty left in the tank, making him an attractive prospect for another club looking for experience and depth.

Then there are the quarterbacks, a position always under the microscope. Take Sam Ehlinger, for instance. He had a pretty solid preseason, throwing for 360 yards and completing 36 of 47 passes over five quarters in 2025. Impressive, right? But with the Broncos committing to Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham, Ehlinger became expendable. It’s not a knock on his talent, rather a numbers game. A QB with his stat line and potential? You can bet other teams, perhaps those looking for a developmental prospect or a solid practice squad arm, would be giving him a serious look.

It’s not just veterans or signal-callers, though. Young linebackers like Levelle Bailey have experienced the brutal rollercoaster firsthand. Waived in both 2024 and 2025, even making the 53-man roster one year only to be moved off it for Kristian Welch the very next day. It highlights the incredibly fine margins in the NFL. These players are often on the cusp, showcasing their talent, just waiting for the right opportunity to truly stick somewhere. Others, like veteran wideout Hakeem Butler or offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton, also found themselves looking for new homes, proving that no position is safe when roster decisions loom large.

But here's the silver lining, the hopeful twist in this tale of professional sports. Getting cut by one team is rarely the end of the road. It's often just a detour, a chance for a new beginning. Many of these players, whether it's a promising rookie like seventh-round safety Miles Scott, likely heading to a practice squad, or a seasoned pro like Franklin, quickly land on their feet with another organization. The NFL is a league of constant movement, a continuous search for talent, and one team's surplus can easily become another's much-needed asset.

So, while the cutdown days are inherently painful, they also showcase the remarkable resilience of these athletes. They train, they fight, and when one door closes in Denver, they're ready to bust through another one, often finding new opportunities to continue their NFL dreams elsewhere. It's the enduring spirit of professional football, a reminder that the journey is often as compelling as the destination.