Tag: Broncos

Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) rolls out to throw against the Houston Texans during the third quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Chiefs playing on Christmas again vs. Broncos; Bears-Eagles on Black Friday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs will play on Christmas Day for the third year in a row, as Amazon Prime Video announced Monday it will carry the Chiefs’ home game against the Denver Broncos on Christmas night.

The Chiefs faced a different AFC West rival on Christmas in 2023 when they lost to the visiting Las Vegas Raiders 20-14. Last year, they went to Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers 29-10.

That will be the final game of a Christmas tripleheader, which the NFL plans to stage going forward after holding three games in 2024, when Christmas fell on a Wednesday.

As marquee NFL games continue to trickle out ahead of the full schedule reveal Wednesday, another holiday game was announced: The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will host the Chicago Bears on Black Friday, Nov. 28.

Also, the Eagles will visit the Washington Commanders on Saturday, Dec. 20, as part of a doubleheader that also includes the Bears hosting the rival Green Bay Packers.

–Field Level Media

Boise State Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson speaks to the media at Arizona Ballroom at Camelback Inn on Dec. 29, 2024, ahead of their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup against the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Report: Boise State’s Spencer Danielson gets 5-year deal

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Boise State coach Spencer Danielson finalized a new five-year, $11 million contract after leading the Broncos to the College Football Playoff last season, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The average annual value of $2.2 million reportedly doubles the salary Danielson earned in his first full season running the program in 2024.

Danielson, 36, guided the Broncos to a Mountain West Conference title and finished 12-2 following a 31-14 loss in the CFP to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. He was named the MWC Coach of the Year.

Danielson is 15-3 overall, including his tenure as Boise State’s interim coach in late 2023 following the firing of Andy Avalos after a 5-5 start that season.

His new deal will start at $2 million per year and increase by $100,000 each year during the five-year term. The only Mountain West coach who earns more annually is UNLV’s Dan Mullen at $3.5 million for 2025.

Danielson has been coaching at Boise State since 2017 when he arrived as a graduate assistant. He served as the defensive coordinator from 2021-23.

–Field Level Media

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron (DB04) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images

Grading the Broncos’ draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grade: C

Best Pick: CB Jahdae Barron, No. 20 Overall

What We Liked: Barron is a stud. His extreme versatility along with high-end tackling skills and coverage ability should make him a cornerstone of that defense for a while. In an era that’s shifting more toward the idea of “positionless football,” the Broncos are charging forward into the future with a defensive back that is the shining example of that philosophy. I also think Sai’vion Jones could work in quickly as a third pass rusher.

Not Sure About: In theory, adding a couple skill players for Bo Nix should work for Denver, but these guys don’t have the juice. RJ Harvey does not have a standout trait and plays slower than his tested speed. Spending a second-round pick on a guy who doesn’t elevate your running back room is a problem. Pat Bryant feels like a guy head coach Sean Payton over-drafted for his blocking ability, but in the third round, it feels like he should have focused on players that can also catch and run with the ball.

–Dean Bruce, special to Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger (4) throws a pass to warm up before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Broncos add QB depth, sign Sam Ehlinger

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The Denver Broncos signed free agent quarterback Sam Ehlinger on Wednesday.

Terms were not disclosed by the Broncos. Multiple outlets reported it’s a one-year contract.

Ehlinger, 26, had spent his first four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, who selected him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Texas.

He has played eight games in his NFL career, none last season. Ehlinger played in four games in 2022, making three starts and going 0-3 with 64-of-101 passing (63.5 percent) for 573 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He also had 17 rushing attempts for 87 yards.

Ehlinger joins starting quarterback Bo Nix and seventh-year veteran Jarrett Stidham on the depth chart. The Broncos’ third quarterback last season, Zach Wilson, signed with the Miami Dolphins in March as a free agent.

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Reports: Broncos sign TE Evan Engram to 2-year deal

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The Denver Broncos reached a two-year deal with two-time Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram, according to reports on Wednesday.

The contract is worth $23 million, including $16.5 million guaranteed.

Engram was recently released by the Jacksonville Jaguars after having a down season in 2024 that followed a career-best campaign in which Engram caught 114 passes for 963 yards and four touchdowns.

The 6-foot-3 tight end was hindered by hamstring and shoulder injuries last season, posting just 47 receptions for 365 yards and one score.

Engram, 30, has 496 career receptions for 4,922 yards and 25 touchdowns in 108 games (89 starts) with the New York Giants (2017-21) and Jaguars (2022-24). He was a first-round pick (23rd overall) by the Giants in 2017.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter (22) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Reports: Broncos agree to 3-year deal with S Talanoa Hufanga

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The Denver Broncos agreed to a three-year deal worth an estimated $45 million with former Pro Bowl safety Talanoa Hufanga, according to multiple reports.

Hufanga will reportedly receive $20 million in guaranteed funds.

Hufanga, 26, spent his first four NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He had a huge 2022 season in which he earned first-team All-Pro honors and was selected to the Pro Bowl after recording 97 tackles, four interceptions (one for a touchdown), two forced fumbles and two sacks.

Hufanga had three interceptions in 10 games in 2023 before sustaining an ACL tear in his right knee in a November game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He missed the first two games of the 2024 season while completing his recovery from the ACL injury. But his bad fortune continued when he tore ligaments in his wrist during a game against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 6.

Hufanga returned later in the campaign but played in just seven games and had 38 tackles.

A fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Hufanga has 219 tackles and seven interceptions in 49 games (37 starts).

Denver formally announced that it re-signed backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham to a two-year deal.

On Sunday night, the Denver Post reported that the deal is worth up to $12 million with $7 million guaranteed.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Reports: Broncos reach two-year deal with QB Jarrett Stidham

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The Denver Broncos reached agreement on a two-year deal to retain quarterback Jarrett Stidham, according to multiple reports on Sunday night.

The Denver Post reported that the deal is worth up to $12 million with $7 million guaranteed.

Keeping Stidham was pivotal for the Broncos as they keep continuity in the quarterback room after Bo Nix stood out as a rookie last season.

Both Stidham and third-stringer Zach Wilson were slated to become free agents.

Stidham, 28, competed for the starting position last summer before it became clear to head coach Sean Payton that Nix was ready to play.

Nix performed so well as a rookie that Stidham never threw a pass last season. He appeared in three games.

In 2023, Stidham appeared in three games (two starts) for the Broncos and passed for 496 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Stidham entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2019. He has passed for 1,422 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in 19 games (four starts) for the Patriots (2019-21), Las Vegas Raiders (2022) and Broncos.

Denver also agreed to a three-year deal with long snapper Mitchell Fraboni on Sunday. The Post said Fraboni’s deal is worth $4.175 million with $1.6 million guaranteed.

Fraboni, 28, is entering his fourth season with the Broncos.

–Field Level Media

Aug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Bill Romanowski attends the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Ex-NFL star Bill Romanowski owes $15.5 million in unpaid taxes

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A federal judge in California has ruled that former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski and his wife owe $15.5 million in unpaid taxes, according to multiple outlets, including Sportico.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter H. Kang issued a recommendation on the case brought forth by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2023, ruled that Bill and his wife, Julie, owe $15.5 million in unpaid tax assessments to go along with accrued interest. The DOJ accused the Romanowskis of not paying their owed taxes for the years 1998-2004 as well as 2007.

The couple’s company, Nutrition 53, already a subject of a separate bankruptcy case, could be held liable to contribute paying to the judgment, with the government bringing claims that the company is an alter ego for the Romanowskis, not distinct enough to be protected.

Likewise, the government is pursuing payment from other assets associated with the couple.

A two-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl champ, Romanowski, 58, was originally a third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1988, playing 16 seasons for the 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders.

Romanowski totaled 1,118 tackles, 39 ½ sacks and 18 interceptions over 243 career games.

Nutrition 53 is a protein/supplement company.

–Field Level Media

Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Fox Sports NFL Studio analyst Rob Gronkowski during a Fox Sports media party in advance of Super Bowl LIX at Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Report: Rob Gronkowski, 35, eyeing return to NFL

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Tight end Rob Gronkowski may be interested in coming out of retirement once again, according to a report by DenverSports.com on Tuesday.

Gronkowski spent nine years with the New England Patriots prior to retiring after the 2018 season — only to come back and play two more years with Tom Brady when the quarterback went to Tampa Bay.

A five-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro selection and four-time Super Bowl champion (three with the Patriots, one with the Buccaneers), Gronkowski will turn 36 in May.

The DenverSports.com report indicated Gronkowski may be interested in joining the Denver Broncos, where his brothers Chris and Dan Gronkowski had brief stays during their playing careers.

Rob Gronkowski currently works as an NFL analyst for Fox and overlapped there for one year with Sean Payton, now the head coach in Denver.

Gronkowski had 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns in 143 games (128 starts) over his 11-year career in New England (2010-18) and Tampa Bay (2020-21). He never finished with fewer than 540 yards in a season despite missing large parts of the 2013 and 2016 campaigns due to injury.

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2023; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite talks with linebacker Nik Bonitto (42) and linebacker Frank Clark (55) and linebacker Randy Gregory (5) during training camp at Centura Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Report: Broncos assistant accused of assaulting officer

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Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite was accused of assaulting a police officer over the weekend in Denver, multiple outlets reported Monday.

Wilhoite, 38, was booked in the Denver jail on Sunday on a no-bond hold. He has a court appearance Monday on a charge of suspicion of second-degree assault of a police officer, per reports.

The Broncos issued a statement saying that they are aware of the situation and in the process of gathering more information.

The alleged incident reportedly occurred after Wilhoite dropped someone off at the Denver International Airport.

Wilhoite joined the Broncos’ staff in 2023 after previously working for head coach Sean Payton as a defensive assistant and special teams assistant from 2019-20. He was the linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers from 2021-22.

Wilhoite played linebacker in the NFL for six seasons, registering 298 tackles and four interceptions in 79 games (45 starts) with the San Francisco 49ers (2012-16) and Seattle Seahawks (2017).

–Field Level Media