The fun part of the offseason is about to begin, here are all of the key dates for the Denver Broncos over the next few months.
The Denver Broncos, led by head coach Sean Payton, will have a difficult time improving the team in 2024 because of probable serious cap problems and quarterback Russell Wilson’s impending departure. The fact that they will be losing a number of important starting free agents in March will make matters worse.
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For this franchise, that means the next two and a half months are crucial. George Paton, the general manager, and Sean Payton will have to agree on every choice. This offseason, there is not going to be any space for even one slip-up. Here, we’ll examine each of the key dates that are approaching for them.
Franchise Tag Deadline
February 20, 2024: Franchise/transition tag window opens
March 5, 2024: Franchise/transition tag deadline at 2 PM MT
Although tomorrow is the opening of this window, there aren’t many players deserving of the tag. Quite frankly, that won’t make sense either given their salary cap problems. Pro Football Focus did point out that their best option for the tag and extension play would be center Lloyd Cushenberry III.
Despite having a difficult beginning to his career, Cushenberry has improved to become one of the NFL’s finest centers. His greatest season was in 2023, when he played well over 1,000 offensive snaps and only gave up one sack. Cushenberry and the Broncos will probably reach a long-term contract, but don’t be shocked if Denver exercises the tag to extend the negotiation period.
He has really developed into a solid center, but there is no way on earth I would tag him at the $20+ million franchise price tag for 2024. If they can’t get a deal done before the start of free agency, I would expect Cushenberry to be moving on next season.
2024 NFL Combine
February 26 – March 4, 2024: NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana
- February 29, 2024 at 1 PM MT: Defensive linemen, linebackers
- March 1, 2024 at 1 PM MT: Defensive backs, tight ends
- March 2, 2024 at 11 AM MT: Quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs
- March 3, 2024 at 11 AM MT: Offensive linemen
Free Agency
March 11-13, 2024: Legal tampering period from 10 AM MT on March 11 to 2 PM MT March 13
March 13, 2024: 2024 league year opens at 2 PM MT
We can anticipate a rather boring introduction to free agency. We should anticipate Denver to wait to see which players they are targeting make it past that first wave of free agent signings due to the Broncos’ salary cap situation and the expensive nature of those agreements.
“We won’t be in on the first wave of free agency like we were last year,” George Paton said in January. “You can’t do that every year. We’ll be very strategic and very specific on what positions and what players we try to sign. Obviously, we have to hit on the draft. We’re picking high, and we have six picks. We could have more. You know we like picks. We’ll go from there.”
Pre-Draft
March 24-27, 2024: Annual league meeting in Orlando, Florida
April 15, 2024: Broncos can begin offseason workout programs
April 17, 2024: Deadline for draft prospects to meet at team facilities
April 19, 2024: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign
April 24, 2024: Deadline to meet with draft prospects
2024 NFL Draft
April 25, 2024: First round of the NFL Draft begins at 6 PM MT
April 26, 2024: Second and third rounds of the NFL Draft begins at 5 PM MT
April 27, 2024: Rounds four through seven of the NFL Draft begins at 10 AM MT
April 27-30, 2024: Tracking all of the undrafted college free agent signings for Denver
The 2024 NFL Draft will take place in Detroit, Michigan this year at the Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in downtown. It will air on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, and ESPN Deportes. You can stream it live on YouTube TV, Hulu+, Fubo TV, and Sling. Full 2024 NFL Draft Order.
Broncos 2024 Draft Picks
| Round | Pick |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 |
| 3 | 76 |
| 4 | 122 |
| 5 | 144 |
| 5 | 146 |
| 7 | 237 |
Post-Draft
May 2, 2024: Deadline for Broncos to pick up Pat Surtain’s fifth-year option
Early May 2024: Three-day rookie minicamp
Early to Mid-May 2024: NFL schedule release
May 20-22, 2024: Spring league meeting
Late May to early June 2024: Organized Team Activities (OTAs)
July 17, 2024: Franchise tag deadline at 2 PM MT
Mid-to-late July 2024: Training camps open
The biggest event before training camp is the 2024 s