Free agent negotiations come with plenty of unusual twists and turns, which makes them tough to predict. It’s risky business, but Nick Kosmider of The Athletic knows how the Denver Broncos typically think, so he took a shot at predicting the outcomes of the Broncos key free agents this offseason, which makes a rundown more than worthwhile.
1. John Franklin-Myers, DE
Defensive tackle Zach Allen has produced 15.5 sacks and 87 quarterback hits since the start of the 2024 season, and he claims Franklin-Myers is partly responsible for many of them. Which is more than a little ironic because JFM, as he’s known to fellow players, fans and media is looking to get paid after piling 14.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and 33 quarterback hits during his two years in Denver.
Nonetheless, the Broncos appear ready to let Franklin-Myers walk and get paid elsewhere. The defensive end has been through this before with the New York Jets, so it’s fair to wonder if something else might be going on here, but the Broncos have done nothing but praise him to the rafters, so this is probably just a case of Denver not having enough money and cap space to go around.
2. J.K. Dobbins, RB
This one’s tougher. Dobbins performed well last season when he was healthy, but that’s always the rub with him, isn’t it? This time it was an apparent hip-drop tackle that did him in, and while the circumstances are unfortunate, it’s hard to see the Broncos buying into another go-found with Dobbins, especially given some of the options that are available in the free agent market.
3. Alex Singleton, ILB
Singleton signed a three-year, $18 million deal before the 2023 season, and he’s provided tremendous value. He finished with 135 tackles in 2025 despite missing games due to surgery for testicular cancer, and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has talked frequently of Singleton’s leadership abilities and ability to set up the defense and make corrections when necessary.
The value will be tricky here given the fact that Singleton is 32, but there’s a deal to be made here with some give and take. The bet here is that the Broncos find a way to keep Singleton.
Signing Singleton will likely cost the Broncos fellow linebacker Justin Strnad, however. According to Kosmider, Strnad will get a big enough offer from another team to lead to his exit from Denver.