Broncos will keep same OL around Bo Nix for three straight years

The level the place this all started, Darren Mougey remembers, was up entrance.

In his teaching training, Sean Payton had all the time been taught — as he is mentioned a number of occasions through the previous 12 months — {that a} group’s offensive line “permeates the building.” But even in 2022, earlier than Payton arrived, the Broncos’ entrance workplace was set on rebuilding by means of their offensive entrance, as former assistant normal supervisor Mougey informed The Denver Post in Indianapolis final week. It was no coincidence in 2023 that Denver instantly shelled out for two of the highest names on the offensive-line market: Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers acquired two of the most important 4 OL offers in 2023’s free company. Never mind the looming albatross of Russell Wilson’s cap hit.

“Getting McGlinchey and Powers, and keeping the continuity there on the offensive line, and then starting to build that defensive line — I think that’s been a big part of their success,” now-Jets normal supervisor Mougey mentioned, “that maybe people talk about, maybe they don’t, I don’t know.”

Entering Year Three of an ascension around quarterback Bo Nix, the Broncos nonetheless have not budged on that offensive-line continuity, at the same time as particular person items of that entrance age. On Wednesday, a supply informed The Post that they suspected Denver was buying the 29-year-old Powers on the commerce market, because the Broncos hadn’t put a proposal to restructure his contract in entrance of the offensive lineman regardless of a sizeable $18.2 million cap hit in 2026. On Thursday evening, although, Denver obtained again to Powers and let him know they’d no plans to maneuver him or contact his contract, sources mentioned.

That’ll imply the Broncos will possible head into 2026 with a 3rd straight season of the Garett Bolles-Powers-Luke Wattenberg-Quinn Meinerz-McGlinchey beginning unit on the offensive entrance, a uncommon growth within the fashionable NFL. That’s beneficial inside Denver’s constructing, particularly for third-year Nix’s continued growth, which explains Denver hasn’t reduce Powers (which might save $8.4 million).

“It’s hard to find those types of players in free agencies every year, or without paying a hefty fee,” Payton mentioned in late November. “So, keeping that continuity, I think, is important.”

In due time, although, offensive-line coach Zach Strief’s room will undertake a obligatory change of the guard. It, maybe, has already begun. Denver re-upped on a two-year deal Thursday with versatile reserve Alex Palczewskiwho began 10 video games instead of Powers because the veteran guard recovered from a bicep tear in 2025. There’s a particular risk the 26-year-old Palczewski pushes Powers for his beginning left-guard spot in 2026.

The Broncos will need to take a troublesome look, too, at replenishing their offensive-line depth this offseason to develop extra Palczewski-types. Denver might save over $37 million in cap room by reducing or shifting 31-year-old proper sort out McGlinchey and left sort out Bolles, as creating room on their payroll turns into more and more vital within the years earlier than a doubtlessly huge extension for Nix after the 2027 season. Powers, after all, will hit free company after this season.

And Payton might have dropped a touch as to the Broncos’ plans this April at that spot, talking on the NFL Combine.

“Historically speaking, for me, we’ve always invested maybe early draft capital for that position,” Payton mentioned. “It’s hard to find those guys and the defensive linemen in free agency, this time of the year. There are certain positions that are abundant, but that’s one that’s tough.”

Historically talking, then, Denver’s on account of put money into the offensive line this draft. The Broncos have taken two offensive linemen — Alex Forsyth and Nick Gargiulo — in Payton’s three drafts in Denver, and by no means used greater than a seventh-round choose on their entrance.

The Broncos are excessive on rising third-year sort out Frank Crum, who stuffed in capably in spot snaps in 2025 when McGlinchey was quickly banged up. At current, although, Denver will enter coaching camp in 2026 with future signee Nash Jones as the one offensive lineman on the roster who will be youthful than 26 years previous. That’s a possible subject.