Broncos depth chart: Two or three QBs on the 53-man roster?
DIRECT ANSWER: With one preseason game left and the NFL's August 30 cutdown looming, Denver's broncos depth chart still has open questions at quarterback, inside linebacker and tight end. The Denver Post projects three QBs—Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger—while Sports Illustrated expects two, sending Ehlinger to the practice squad. At ILB, Karene Reid, Red Murdock and Jordan Turner are fighting for final spots behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad.
Key Takeaways
- The Broncos must trim from 90 players to 53 by August 30, after Friday's preseason finale against Minnesota.
- Denver Post analysts favor keeping three quarterbacks; SI projects two, citing roster depth elsewhere.
- The fourth ILB spot is unsettled between Reid, Murdock and Turner after Levelle Bailey's injury.
- Both outlets project four tight ends, with Caleb Lohner a possible injured-reserve candidate.
- Denver's depth makes waiver-wire losses likely—other teams claimed two Broncos players at last year's cutdown.
How many quarterbacks will the Broncos keep?
Bo Nix enters the final preseason week healthy after leading two scoring drives in Denver's preseason loss to Green Bay. Jarrett Stidham has taken most No. 2 reps in practice and games, though he was not sharp across 30 snaps against the Packers on August 21. Sam Ehlinger remains in the picture as a third option who has started NFL games and knows Sean Payton's system.
The Denver Post argues keeping all three is worth the roster cost for a Super Bowl contender, noting there is no young in-system alternative if Stidham or Ehlinger is waived. Sports Illustrated sees no change: Nix and Stidham on the 53, Ehlinger on the practice squad. Broncos Wire's unofficial depth chart lists Stidham ahead of Ehlinger at QB2.
Who wins the final inside linebacker spot?
Behind starters Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, Denver has a crowded ILB room after losing Levelle Bailey to injury. Red Murdock has played his way toward a roster spot, and the staff values his football IQ. Jordan Turner returned from NFI list eligibility about a week ago and immediately worked with top units, starting next to Reid against Green Bay.
Karene Reid has been available and consistent all summer. The Denver Post projects Murdock and Turner on the 53 with Reid on the bubble; SI favors Reid and Turner, sending Murdock to the practice squad. Taurean York is largely out of the running after special teams mistakes against the Packers, per SI.
Which tight ends make Denver's 53-man roster?
Adam Trautman and Evan Engram are locks at the top of the depth chart. The debate sits behind them. Both the Denver Post and SI project a four-man group: Trautman, Engram, Nate Adkins and fifth-round pick Justin Joly. Adkins offers fullback flexibility but has been in and out with injuries this summer. Dallen Bentley does the dirty in-line work and could land on the practice squad if Denver believes he clears waivers.
Caleb Lohner faces a tricky path. SI notes each day he misses increases his chances of landing on injured reserve with a return designation at cutdown. Lucas Krull also remains in the conversation per Denver Post reporting. For more NFL roster and viewing alerts, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
What happens before the August 30 roster deadline?
Denver finishes preseason against Minnesota on Friday, then has until August 30 to finalize 53 players and build a 16- or 17-man practice squad. Payton and GM George Paton must balance roster quality with protecting bubble players from waiver claims—Denver lost Xavier Truss and Damari Mathis that way last year.
Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper could face suspension tied to domestic violence charges; his arraignment is August 31, one day after cutdown. Taylor Rapp's signing reshuffled safety depth, and Riley Moss left the Packers game with a rib injury though Payton said he was doing well. Full projections are detailed in the Denver Post roster projection.