Depth and continuity are obviously the priorities for the Denver Broncos so far in this unusual offseason strategy.
The Denver Broncos have focused almost exclusively on re-signing more of their depth pieces during the opening of free agency, and that focus continued unabated as the Broncos announced the re-signing of tight end Lucas Krull yesterday, according to a report from Luca Evans of the Denver Post.
The one-year deal is for a veteran-minimum contract worth $1.145 million in base salary to go with an $100,000 signing bonus, a $100,000 bonus for making the initial 53-man roster, a $5,000 per-game bonus and up to $200,000 in additional incentives. The deal is contingent on a completed physical.
The physical will be important for Krull, who played just three games last season before suffering a Jones fracture in his foot that ended his season. Back in 2024, however, Krull was productive, leading all Denver tight ends with 19 receptions, according to Evans. Krull had a window opened at the end of this past season that would have allowed him to play against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, but that didn’t happen.
The 6'6" Krull originally signed in New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He then signed with the Broncos’ practice squad in 2023, following head coach Sean Payton to Denver. To date he's caught 29 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown in 23 active games, according to Evans. This move could be part of a strategy to go with more "heavy" lineups that feature tight ends as Payton seeks to diversify the offense.
The Broncos have also re-signed tight ends Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins, and Evan Engram remains on the roster despite his struggles to provide adequate production as the “joker” piece Payton wants at the position. Other moves are coming, either in free agency or in the draft, and Engram would likely be the odd man out if an addition is made.
The retention program has impacted position groups up and down the roster, with Denver losing just two players to free agency. Defensive end John Franklin-Myers signed with the Tennessee Titans, while safety P.J. Locke left Denver to sign with the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week.
Other minor moves are still being made with retention in mind, but most of the Broncos’ important pieces are currently accounted for with either extensions or re-signings. It’s a remarkably consistent strategy given the way teams typically go wild when free agency opens, and it reflects Payton’s determination to do things differently to sustain Denver’s success.