"If I said, 'I'm going [to] give you $50,000 to decorate your home or $200,000,' your home's going to look nicer. ... If you're a decent shopper, if you have more money. I think the same takes place with our sport. - Sean Payton, Broncos coach, explaining how increased salary cap flexibility enables better roster construction."
"In terms of free agency ... I get a little worried about just the pure phrase of 'aggressive,' because you can be aggressive, but you want to do it in a smart way. ... We'll definitely take an aggressive approach, but we're also not just going to bring in somebody that's not right for this locker room. I'd say we'll be opportunistically aggressive. - Greg Penner, owner/CEO, on the team's measured approach to spending."
The Denver Broncos arrive at the NFL combine with a roster one win away from the Super Bowl and freed from the massive salary cap burden created by Russell Wilson's 2024 release. The team carried $89 million in dead money two years ago and $46 million last year, yet still achieved a league-best 14-3 record and AFC Championship appearance in 2025. With only $1 million in dead money remaining, the Broncos now possess unprecedented financial flexibility. Coach Sean Payton and owner Greg Penner emphasize that increased spending capacity enables better roster construction. However, leadership stresses an "opportunistically aggressive" approach to free agency, prioritizing smart acquisitions that fit the locker room culture over reckless spending.
Read at ESPN.com
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