The Denver Broncos have been one of the most surprising teams of the 2024 offseason. The Broncos made several shocking moves at the beginning of the free agency: some were money-saving moves, others not so much. There were questionable trades made, a highly anticipated uniform reveal, and ultimately, a quarterback taken with the team’s first pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
We take a look back at some of the biggest storylines from Denver’s offseason thus far.
Ex-Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar selected to Hall of Fame
Former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar finally received the highest honor a player could, a selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gradishar was selected as a member of the Senior Committee in February. Gradishar has been a part of the Denver organization for a long time, and it was time for him to be recognized for his accomplishments of a player.
Quarterback Russell Wilson released
After the 2023 season ended, it was widely expected that the Broncos would release quarterback Russell Wilson. Right before the 2024 league year began, Denver announced they would release their $245 million man, and would take on an $85 million dead money hit to their cap space over the next two years. Wilson’s ignominious end with the franchise was the culmination of two tumultuous years, and what many consider to be one of the worst trades in the history of the NFL.
Safety Justin Simmons released
One of the most shocking moves of the Broncos offseason was the release of star safety Justin Simmons. The two-time Pro Bowler and four-time Second-Team All-Pro was cut to save $14.5 million against the cap. Surprisingly, Simmons remains unsigned almost two months into the offseason.
Broncos release four new uniforms
For the first time since 1997, the Denver Broncos underwent a full jersey redesign. The new batch of jerseys feature a matte blue helmet, an alternate white helmet, a primary orange jersey, a white away jersey and a blue alternate jersey.
Denver also chose to bring back its extremely popular throwback jerseys, which were used from the late 1960’s to the 1996 season. Hall of Fame linebacker Randy Gradishar helped Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain unveil the special throwback uniforms.
Broncos trade for Zach Wilson
A week prior to the NFL draft, the Broncos made shockwaves throughout the league by trading for New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Wilson had several tumultuous seasons with the Jets before being packaged with a seventh round pick coming to Denver. The Broncos sent a 2024 sixth-round pick to the Jets for Wilson, who is on a one-year prove-it deal after the team declined his fifth-year option. Head coach Sean Payton may be the perfect coach to help Wilson develop into the player who was once so highly regarded coming out of BYU.
Broncos draft QB Bo Nix in 1st round of 2024 NFL draft
The last piece of quarterback intrigue from the Denver Broncos during the offseason happened when the Broncos drafted University of Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Nix was the most experienced quarterback in the 2024 draft, with 61 starts. Nix will have the opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback position along with Wilson, Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci.
The rest of the Broncos draft class included Nix’s teammate, wide receiver Troy Franklin, Missouri defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine, University of Utah duo wide receiver Devaughn Vele and pass-rusher Jonah Elliss, South Carolina offensive lineman Nick Garguilo and Notre Dame running back Audric Estime.
