By Robert Wilkinson
The National Football League’s new year started on March 11, 2026 at 4 p.m., allowing teams to sign free agents. The Buffalo Bills signed defensive back Dee Alford. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed linebacker Alex Anzalone. Every team made a transaction except for the Denver Broncos.
Looking to reach the postseason, Denver traded for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in 2022, and hired head coach Sean Payton in 2023. The Broncos failed to make the postseason during Wilson’s two years in Denver. They released him, and they drafted quarterback Bo Nix in 2024, who led them to the playoffs in his first and second years on the team.
Wilson’s release gave the Broncos more money to spend in free agency. However, they also accumulated about $100 million in dead cap money that rolled over into 2026. Once this dead cap expired, many people believed they would spend in free agency. However, they were silent for most of March. However, on the 18th, they traded for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a first round draft pick from 2026.
This trade could help both teams, but I believe the Broncos the won. The Dolphins traded away a major piece, and Denver received a weapon that will take their offense to a new level. This addition could be the final piece Denver needs to position itself for a Super Bowl win.
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