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2021 Denver Broncos season

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2021 Denver Broncos season
OwnerEstate of Pat Bowlen
General managerGeorge Paton
Head coachVic Fangio
Home fieldEmpower Field at Mile High
Uniform

The 2021 season will be the Denver Broncos' upcoming 52nd season in the National Football League, their 62nd overall, their third under head coach Vic Fangio and their first season under general manager George Paton. This will be the Broncos' first season since 2011 that John Elway will not be serving as general manager, as he announced on January 4, 2021 that we would give up his general manager duties but remain part of the Broncos' personnel, as the president of football operations.

Coaching changes

Front office changes

  • January 3: During halftime of the Broncos' 2020 regular season finale, director of player personnel Matt Russell announced his retirement, after eight seasons in that role.[4]
  • January 4: John Elway announced that he will remain president of football operations, but will relinquish his general manager duties, and led the hiring of a new general manager.[5]
  • January 13: George Paton was hired as the new Broncos' general manager. Paton spent the previous 14 seasons in the Minnesota Vikings' front office, including the previous nine seasons as the Vikings' assistant general manager and the last three as vice president of player personnel.[6]
  • May 21: Darren Mougey was promoted to be Paton’s right-hand man, director of player personnel.[7]

Roster changes

Future contracts

All players listed below were signed to reserve/future contracts on January 4, unless noted otherwise. The signings include all ten players who were on the practice squad of the final roster at the end of the 2020 season. Each player was officially added to the active roster on March 17—the first day of the 2021 league year.[8]

Position Player Notes
OT Quinn Bailey
WR Trinity Benson
WR Fred Brown waived February 2[9]
S Chris Cooper waived June 7[10]
RB Jeremy Cox waived May 3[11]
RB Damarea Crockett
WR Kendall Hinton
TE Jordan Leggett waived February 2[9]
C Patrick Morris signed January 5,[12] waived July 27[13]
OT Darrin Paulo waived February 2[9]
DT Deyon Sizer

Free agents

Unrestricted

Position Player 2021 team Notes
LB Jeremiah Attaochu Chicago Bears signed with the Bears on March 21[14]
CB De'Vante Bausby Las Vegas Raiders signed with the Raiders on June 17[15]
TE Jake Butt Chicago Bears signed with the Bears on June 18[16]
LB Austin Calitro Chicago Bears originally an RFA, signed with the Bears on May 17[17]
LB Anthony Chickillo None retired on July 11[18]
OT Demar Dotson TBD
DT Shelby Harris Denver Broncos re-signed March 15[19]
S Kareem Jackson Denver Broncos contract option for 2021 declined on March 15,[20] re-signed March 24[21]
LB Joseph Jones Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed with the Buccaneers on May 5 [22]
RB Phillip Lindsay Houston Texans originally an RFA, assigned right-of-first-refusal tender on March 16,[23]
tender rescinded on March 18,[24] signed with the Texans on March 19[25]
LB Von Miller Denver Broncos contract option for 2021 picked up on March 16[26]
S Will Parks Kansas City Chiefs signed with the Chiefs on May 6 [27]
S Justin Simmons Denver Broncos assigned franchise tag on March 5,[28] re-signed March 19[29]
CB Kevin Toliver TBD originally an RFA
DE DeMarcus Walker Houston Texans signed with the Texans on April 16[30]
G Elijah Wilkinson Chicago Bears signed with the Bears on March 23[31]
DT Sylvester Williams TBD

Note: Unrestricted free agents who were originally Restricted free agents (RFA) had three accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season, and did not receive a qualifying offer before the start of the 2021 league year on March 17.

Restricted and exclusive-rights

Position Player Tag 2021 team Notes
OT Calvin Anderson ERFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 16,[23] re-signed May 17[32]
LB A. J. Johnson RFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 16,[23] re-signed May 20[33]
S Trey Marshall RFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 16,[23] re-signed May 18[34]
WR Tim Patrick RFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 16,[23] re-signed May 18
WR Diontae Spencer ERFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 16,[23] re-signed April 16[35]
Restricted Free Agent (RFA): Players with three accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season
Exclusive-Rights Free Agent (ERFA): Players with two or fewer accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season

Signings

Position Player 2020 team(s) Notes
RB Mike Boone Minnesota Vikings signed March 18[36]
OT Cody Conway None signed May 17[32]
QB Case Cookus New York Giants signed May 17,[32] waived May 20[33]
WR Amara Darboh None signed June 17[37]
CB Ronald Darby Washington Football Team signed March 17[38]
CB Rojesterman Farris None signed August 2[39]
OT Cameron Fleming New York Giants signed May 20[33]
CB Kyle Fuller Chicago Bears signed March 20[40]
C Brett Jones Minnesota Vikings signed July 27[13]
LB Peter Kalambayi Houston Texans signed June 7[10]
DT Isaiah Mack New England Patriots
Tennessee Titans		 signed February 11[41]
OT Bobby Massie Chicago Bears signed May 12[42]
LB Natrez Patrick Los Angeles Rams claimed off waivers from the Rams on January 10,[43]
waived June 17[37]
WR De'Mornay Pierson-El None signed June 17[37]
TE Eric Saubert Jacksonville Jaguars signed May 4[44]
DE Shamar Stephen Minnesota Vikings signed April 6[45]
LB Pita Taumoepenu Atlanta Falcons signed May 17[32]
S Tedric Thompson Cleveland Browns signed July 27,[13] released August 8[46]
WR Damion Willis None signed May 18,[34] waived July 20[47]

Departures

Position Player Notes
CB A. J. Bouye released February 10[48]
DE Jurrell Casey released February 25[49]
QB Jeff Driskel released May 4[44]
WR DaeSean Hamilton waived with a non-football injury designation on May 18[34]
DE Joel Heath waived February 2[9]
S Alijah Holder waived February 2[9]
OT Ja'Wuan James released May 14, eleven days after an Achilles tendon rupture[50]
TE Nick Vannett released March 23[51]

Draft

Main article: 2021 NFL Draft
2021 Denver Broncos Draft
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
1 9 Patrick Surtain II CB Alabama signed May 18[52]
2 35 Javonte Williams RB North Carolina signed July 24[53]
3 98 Quinn Meinerz C Wisconsin–Whitewater signed July 24[53]
105 Baron Browning LB Ohio State signed July 23,[54] placed on the PUP list on July 24[55]
4 None—see table below
5 152 Caden Sterns S Texas signed May 13[56]
164 Jamar Johnson S Indiana signed May 13[56]
6 219 Seth Williams WR Auburn signed May 13[56]
7 237 Kary Vincent Jr. CB LSU signed May 13[56]
239 Jonathon Cooper LB Ohio State signed June 15[57]
253 Marquiss Spencer DE Mississippi State signed May 13[56]

Draft trades

Trade partner Broncos give Broncos receive Source
Atlanta Falcons original 2021 second-round selection—No. 40
2021 fourth-round selection—No. 114		 2021 second-round selection—No. 35
2021 sixth-round selection—No. 219		 [58]
Carolina Panthers original 2021 sixth-round selection—No. 191 QB Teddy Bridgewater [59]
Cleveland Browns FB Andy Janovich 2021 seventh-round selection—No. 253 [60]
New Orleans Saints 2021 third-round selection (No. 76–from NYG) two 2021 third-round selections—Nos. 98 & 105 [61]
New York Giants original 2021 third-round selection—No. 71 2021 third-round selection (No. 76—later traded to NO)
2021 fifth-round selection—No. 164
CB Isaac Yiadom 2021 seventh-round selection—No. 239 [62]

Undrafted free agents

All undrafted free agents were signed on May 2—one day after the 2021 NFL Draft concluded,[63] unless noted otherwise.

2021 Denver Broncos Undrafted Free Agents
Player Position College Notes
Shaun Beyer TE Iowa
David Curry LB Georgia Tech waived May 17[32]
Max Duffy P Kentucky waived June 17[37]
DeVontres Dukes WR South Florida
Drew Himmelman OT Illinois State
Warren Jackson WR Colorado State
Nolan Laufenberg G Air Force
Mac McCain CB North Carolina A&T
Branden Mack WR Temple
Andre Mintze LB Vanderbilt
Adam Prentice FB South Carolina
Curtis Robinson LB Stanford

Injuries

Position Player Time & type of injury Games missed Source(s)
CB Essang Bassey knee, Week 13 of the 2020 season PUP list, July 24 [55]
LB Baron Browning lower leg, offseason program PUP list, July 24 [55]
CB Duke Dawson knee, Week 14 of the 2020 season PUP list, July 24 [55]

COVID-19 designations

On July 26, safety Jamar Johnson and cornerback Kary Vincent Jr., the team's fifth- and seventh-round draft selections, respectively, were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.[64]

Staff

Denver Broncos staff
Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group
Front office
  • President – Damani Leech
  • General manager – George Paton
  • Assistant general manager – Darren Mougey
  • Vice president of player personnel – Cody Rager
  • Director of player personnel – Reed Burckhardt
  • Director of pro personnel – A. J. Durso
  • Executive director of football operations – Kelly Kleine
  • Vice president of football administration – Rich Hurtado
  • Vice president of football operation and compliance – Mark Thewes
  • Vice president of player development – Ray Jackson
  • Director of college scouting – Brian Stark
  • Senior personnel executive – Roman Phifer
  • Senior personnel executive – David Shaw
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Nick Schiralli
Head coach
Offensive coaches
  
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
  • Special teams coordinator – Ben Kotwica
  • Assistant special teams – Chris Banjo
  • Assistant to the head coach – Paul Kelly
Strength and conditioning
  • Vice president of player health and performance – Beau Lowery
  • Head strength and conditioning – Dan Dalrymple
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Korey Jones
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Shaun Snee

→ Coaching staff
→ Front office
→ More NFL staffs

Current roster

Denver Broncos roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve


As of December 10, 2024. Rookies in italics.

53 active, 4 reserve, 16 practice squad (+1 exempt)

Preseason

The Broncos' preseason schedule was announced on May 12.[65]

Week Date Time (MT) Opponent Result Record Venue TV Recap
1 August 14 2:00 p.m. at Minnesota Vikings W 33–6 1–0 U.S. Bank Stadium KTVD Recap
2 August 21 8:00 p.m. at Seattle Seahawks W 30–3 2–0 Lumen Field KTVD
3 August 28 7:05 p.m. Los Angeles Rams Empower Field at Mile High KTVD

Regular season

Schedule

The Broncos' 2021 schedule was announced on May 12. For the first time since 1991, the Broncos will not appear on Monday Night Football.[65]

Week Date Time (MT) Opponent Result Record Venue TV Recap
1 September 12 2:25 p.m. at New York Giants MetLife Stadium Fox
2 September 19 11:00 a.m. at Jacksonville Jaguars TIAA Bank Field CBS
3 September 26 2:05 p.m. New York Jets Empower Field at Mile High CBS
4 October 3 2:25 p.m. Baltimore Ravens Empower Field at Mile High CBS
5 October 10 11:00 a.m. at Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field Fox
6 October 17 2:25 p.m. Las Vegas Raiders Empower Field at Mile High CBS
7 October 21 6:20 p.m. at Cleveland Browns FirstEnergy Stadium Fox/NFLN/
Prime Video
8 October 31 2:25 p.m. Washington Football Team Empower Field at Mile High Fox
9 November 7 11:00 a.m. at Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium Fox
10 November 14 2:25 p.m. Philadelphia Eagles Empower Field at Mile High CBS
11 Bye
12 November 28 2:05 p.m. Los Angeles Chargers Empower Field at Mile High CBS
13 December 5 11:00 a.m. at Kansas City Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium CBS
14 December 12 2:05 p.m. Detroit Lions Empower Field at Mile High Fox
15 December 19 2:05 p.m. Cincinnati Bengals Empower Field at Mile High CBS
16 December 26 2:25 p.m. at Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium CBS
17 January 2 2:05 p.m. at Los Angeles Chargers SoFi Stadium CBS
18 January 9 2:25 p.m. Kansas City Chiefs Empower Field at Mile High CBS

Notes:

  • Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
  • Networks and times from Weeks 5–18 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling; Week 7 is exempt, as it occurs on a Thursday.
  • Week 18 is subject to being flexed to Saturday, January 8.

References

  1. ^ DiLalla, Aric (February 4, 2021). "Broncos hire Chris Cook as Offensive Quality Control Coach". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  2. ^ Swanson, Ben (February 8, 2021). "Broncos hire Christian Parker as Defensive Backs Coach". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  3. ^ Renck, Troy (January 25, 2021). "Broncos coach Renaldo Hill lands Chargers' defensive coordinator job". ABC Denver. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  4. ^ Dilalla, Aric (January 3, 2021). "'I got to work with the all-time greatest Bronco': After announcing retirement, Matt Russell reflects on working alongside John Elway". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  5. ^ Dilalla, Aric (January 4, 2021). "John Elway announces changes to Broncos football operations". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  6. ^ Dilalla, Aric (January 13, 2021). "Broncos agree to terms with George Paton to become general manager". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  7. ^ DiLalla, Aric (May 21, 2021). "Broncos promote Darren Mougey to Director of Player Personnel". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  8. ^ DiLalla, Aric (January 4, 2021). "Broncos sign 10 players to future contracts". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d e DiLalla, Aric (February 2, 2021). "Broncos waive five players". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  10. ^ a b DiLalla, Aric (June 7, 2021). "Broncos sign LB Peter Kalambayi". Denver Broncos. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  11. ^ Heath, Jon (May 3, 2021). "Broncos cut RB/FB Jeremy Cox". USA Today. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  12. ^ DiLalla, Aric (January 5, 2021). "Broncos sign OL Patrick Morris to future contract". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  13. ^ a b c DiLalla, Aric (July 27, 2021). "Broncos sign S Tedric Thompson, C Brett Jones". Denver Broncos. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  14. ^ Williams, Charean (March 21, 2021). "Jeremiah Attaochu signs two-year deal with Bears". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "Raiders add CB De'Vante Bausby and LB Darron Lee". Las Vegas Raiders. June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  16. ^ Mayer, Larry (June 18, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears sign three free agents". Chicago Bears. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  17. ^ "Roster Move: Bears sign LB Austin Calitro". ChicagoBears.com. May 17, 2021.
  18. ^ "Former Steelers LB Anthony Chickillo announces retirement". NFL.com. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  19. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 15, 2021). "Broncos agree to terms on three-year deal with DE Shelby Harris". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  20. ^ Renck, Troy (March 15, 2021). "Broncos decline contract option on Kareem Jackson". ABC Denver 7. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  21. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 24, 2021). "Broncos sign S Kareem Jackson to 1-year deal". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  22. ^ Smith, Scott (May 5, 2021). "Bucs Sign S Raven Greene, LB Joseph Jones". buccaneers.com. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  23. ^ a b c d e f DiLalla, Aric (March 16, 2021). "Broncos place second-round tenders on RFAs Tim Patrick, Alexander Johnson, also tender Phillip Lindsay, several ERFAs". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  24. ^ Simmons, Miles (March 18, 2021). "Broncos rescind Phillip Lindsay's tender, making him an unrestricted free agent". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  25. ^ Maya, Adam (March 19, 2021). "Texans signing former Pro Bowl RB Phillip Lindsay to 1-year, $3.25M deal". NFL. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  26. ^ Swanson, Ben (March 16, 2021). "Broncos to pick up Von Miller's contract option for 2021 season". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  27. ^ @Chiefs (May 6, 2021). "We have signed LB Kamalei Correa, WR Chris Finke, and DB Will Parks" (Tweet). Retrieved May 6, 2021 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 5, 2021). "Broncos place franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  29. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 19, 2021). "Justin Simmons signs new four-year contract with Broncos". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  30. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (4-16-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  31. ^ Alper, Josh (March 23, 2021). "Bears sign Elijah Wilkinson". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  32. ^ a b c d e DiLalla, Aric (May 17, 2021). "Broncos sign three tryout players; Calvin Anderson signs exclusive rights tender". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  33. ^ a b c DiLalla, Aric (May 20, 2021). "LB Alexander Johnson signs restricted free agent tender". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  34. ^ a b c DiLalla, Aric (May 18, 2021). "WR Tim Patrick, S Trey Marshall sign tenders; Broncos sign WR Damion Willis". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  35. ^ Heath, Jon (April 16, 2021). "Broncos returner Diontae Spencer signs 1-year tender". USA Today. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  36. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 18, 2021). "Broncos agree to terms with RB Mike Boone". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  37. ^ a b c d DiLalla, Aric (June 17, 2021). "Broncos sign WRs Amara Darboh and De'Mornay Pierson-El". Denver Broncos. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  38. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 15, 2021). "Reports: Broncos agree to terms with CB Ronald Darby". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  39. ^ DiLalla, Aric (August 2, 2021). "Broncos sign DB Rojesterman Farris". Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  40. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 20, 2021). "Broncos agree to terms with CB Kyle Fuller". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  41. ^ DiLalla, Aric (February 11, 2021). "Broncos sign DT Isaiah Mack". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  42. ^ DiLalla, Aric (May 12, 2021). "Broncos sign T Bobby Massie to one-year contract". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  43. ^ Heath, Jon (January 10, 2021). "Broncos will add a linebacker to roster after the Super Bowl". USA Today. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  44. ^ a b DiLalla, Aric (May 4, 2021). "Broncos sign TE Eric Saubert, release QB Jeff Driskel". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  45. ^ DiLalla, Aric (April 6, 2021). "Broncos agree to terms with DL Shamar Stephen". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  46. ^ DiLalla, Aric (August 8, 2021). "Broncos sign DT Lorenzo Neal". Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  47. ^ Simmons, Myles (July 20, 2021). "Broncos waive Damion Willis". NBC Sports. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  48. ^ DiLalla, Aric (February 10, 2021). "Broncos release cornerback A.J. Bouye". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  49. ^ DiLalla, Aric (February 25, 2021). "Broncos release DL Jurrell Casey". Denver Broncos. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  50. ^ O'Halloran, Ryan (May 14, 2021). "Broncos briefs: Denver releases injured right tackle Ja'Wuan James". The Denver Post. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  51. ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 23, 2021). "Broncos release TE Nick Vannett". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  52. ^ DiLalla, Aric (May 18, 2021). "CB Pat Surtain II signs rookie contract". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  53. ^ a b Swanson, Ben (July 24, 2021). "RB Javonte Williams, OL Quinn Meinerz sign rookie contracts". Denver Broncos. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  54. ^ DiLalla, Aric (July 23, 2021). "LB Baron Browning signs rookie contract". Denver Broncos. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  55. ^ a b c d DiLalla, Aric (July 24, 2021). "Broncos place Essang Bassey, Duke Dawson Jr., Baron Browning on Physically Unable to Perform list". Denver Broncos. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  56. ^ a b c d e DiLalla, Aric (May 13, 2021). "Broncos sign five members of 2021 draft class". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  57. ^ DiLalla, Aric (June 15, 2021). "OLB Jonathon Cooper signs rookie contract". Denver Broncos. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  58. ^ Swanson, Ben (April 30, 2021). "Broncos trade up, select RB Javonte Williams with No. 35 pick in 2021 NFL Draft". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  59. ^ DiLalla, Aric (April 28, 2021). "Broncos agree to trade for QB Teddy Bridgewater". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  60. ^ O'Halloran, Ryan (March 18, 2020). "Broncos lose center Connor McGovern (Jets), will be trading fullback Andy Janovich (Browns)". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  61. ^ DiLalla, Aric (May 1, 2021). "Worth the risk: George Paton's gamble for extra picks pays off as Broncos land OL Quinn Meinerz, LB Baron Browning". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  62. ^ DiLalla, Aric (September 2, 2020). "Broncos agree to trade CB Isaac Yiadom to Giants". Denver Broncos. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  63. ^ Simmons, Myles (May 2, 2021). "Broncos bring in 11 undrafted free agents". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  64. ^ DiLalla, Aric (July 26, 2021). "Broncos place S Jamar Johnson, CB Kary Vincent Jr. on Reserve/COVID-19 list". Denver Broncos. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  65. ^ a b DiLalla, Aric (May 12, 2021). "Broncos' 2021 schedule announced; Denver to play first two games on the road". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
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