2020 Denver Broncos season

The 2020 season is the Denver Broncos' 51st in the National Football League, their 61st overall, and their second under head coach Vic Fangio. It will also mark the team's 20th season playing their home games in their current venue, Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos will look to improve on their 7–9 record from 2019 and make the playoffs for the first time since their 2015 Super Bowl-winning season.

2020 Denver Broncos season
Head coachVic Fangio
General managerJohn Elway
OwnerEstate of Pat Bowlen
Home fieldEmpower Field at Mile High
Uniform

Coaching changes

  • January 12: Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello was fired after only one season, following a 2019 season in which the Broncos ranked in the bottom five in several offensive categories, including scoring offense and total yardage. Two days later (January 14), Scangarello was replaced by Pat Shurmur, who served as the New York Giants' head coach during the previous two seasons. Shurmur will become the Broncos' fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons.[2]
  • January 15: Quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney was fired after only one season.[3]
  • January 28: Mike Shula, who served as the Giants' offensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019 alongside Pat Shurmur, was named quarterbacks coach.[4]
  • February 6: John Pagano was named outside linebackers coach, replacing Brandon Staley. Pagano worked in the same position with the Houston Texans during the previous two seasons.[5]

Roster changes

Future contracts

All players listed below were signed to reserve/future contracts on December 31, 2019, unless noted otherwise. The signings include all ten players who were on the practice squad of the final roster at the end of the 2019 season. Each player was officially added to the active roster on March 18—the first day of the 2020 league year.[6]

Position Player Notes
OTKa'John Armstrong
WRTrinity Benson
LBMalik Carney
FBJeremy Cox
LBTre' Crawfordwaived July 27[7]
PTrevor Danielwaived April 23[8]
TEBug Howardwaived April 27[9]
OTTyler Jonessigned January 15[10]
SP. J. Locke
WRKelvin McKnightwaived July 27[7]
RBKhalfani Muhammadwaived July 27[7]
STyvis Powellwaived April 27[9]
QBBrett Rypien
SKahani Smithwaived July 27[7]
DTJay-Tee Tiuliwaived April 27[9]
LSWes Farnsworth

Free agents

Unrestricted

Position Player 2020 team Notes
QBBrandon AllenCincinnati Bengalssigned with the Bengals on August 1[11]
LBJeremiah AttaochuDenver Broncosre-signed March 23[12]
CBDe'Vante BausbyDenver Broncosoriginally an RFA, re-signed March 20[13]
RBDevontae BookerLas Vegas Raiderssigned with the Raiders on May 7[14]
DEAdam GotsisJacksonville Jaguarssigned with the Jaguars on August 2[15]
CBChris Harris, Jr.Los Angeles Chargerssigned with the Chargers on March 18[16]
NTShelby HarrisDenver Broncosre-signed March 27[17]
DEJoel HeathTBDoriginally an RFA, re-signed March 27,[18] waived July 27[7]
CBCyrus JonesTBD
LBJoseph JonesDenver Broncosoriginally an RFA, re-signed March 27[18]
LSCasey KreiterNew York Giantssigned with the Giants on April 1[19]
GRonald LearyTBD
CConnor McGovernNew York Jetssigned with the Jets on March 18[20]
LBCorey NelsonTBD
SWill ParksPhiladelphia Eaglessigned with the Eagles on March 21[21]
DTKyle PekoTBDoriginally an RFA, placed on the Reserve/Higher Risk Opt-Out list on July 28[22]
RBTheo RiddickTBD
SJustin SimmonsDenver Broncosassigned franchise tag on March 13,[23]
signed one-year franchise tag on July 15[24]
DEDerek WolfeBaltimore Ravenssigned with the Ravens on March 28[25]

Note: Unrestricted free agents who were originally Restricted Free Agents (RFA) had three accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season, and did not receive a qualifying offer before the start of the 2020 league year on March 18.

Restricted and exclusive-rights

Position Player Tag 2020 team Notes
STrey MarshallERFADenver Broncosassigned tender on March 17[26]
WRTim PatrickERFADenver Broncosassigned tender on March 17[26]
DEMike PurcellRFADenver Broncosassigned tender on March 18[27]
OTJake RodgersERFADenver Broncosassigned tender on March 18[28]
WRDiontae SpencerERFADenver Broncosassigned tender on March 17[26]
CBShakial TaylorERFATBDassigned tender on March 17,[26] waived July 27[7]
SDymonte ThomasERFATBD
OTElijah WilkinsonRFADenver Broncosassigned tender on March 17,[26] placed on the PUP list on July 28,[22]
activated from the PUP list on August 3[29]
Restricted Free Agent (RFA): Players with three accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season
Exclusive-Rights Free Agent (ERFA): Players with two or fewer accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season

Signings

Position Player 2019 team(s) Notes
LSJacob BobenmoyerNonesigned March 11[30]
OTDemar DotsonTampa Bay Buccaneerssigned August 11[31]
QBJeff DriskelDetroit Lionssigned March 18[32]
GGraham GlasgowDetroit Lionssigned March 18[33]
RBMelvin GordonLos Angeles Chargerssigned March 20[34]
PSam MartinDetroit Lionssigned March 24[35]
TENick VannettSeattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelerssigned March 21[36]
DEDeShawn WilliamsNonesigned August 15[37]

Departures

Position Player Notes
QBJoe Flaccoreleased March 19 with a failed physical designation[38]
TEJeff Heuermanreleased July 31[39]
CBHorace Richardsonwaived March 5[40]
DTDeyon Sizerwaived April 27[9]
PColby Wadmanwaived April 23[8]
DEBilly Winnreleased March 5[40]

Trades

On March 18, fullback Andy Janovich was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a seventh-round selection in the 2021 draft.[20]

Draft

2020 Denver Broncos Draft
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
115 Jerry JeudyWRAlabamasigned July 23[41]
246 K. J. HamlerWRPenn Statesigned July 24[42]
377 Michael OjemudiaCBIowasigned July 21[43]
83 Lloyd Cushenberry IIICLSUsigned July 22[44]
95 McTelvin AgimDTArkansassigned July 22[44]
4118 Albert OkwuegbunamTEMissourisigned July 22[44]
5178 * Justin StrnadLBWake Forestsigned July 22[44]
6181 Netane MutiGFresno Statesigned July 22,[44] placed on the NFI list on July 28,[22]
activated from the NFI list on August 3[29]
7252 * Tyrie ClevelandWRFloridasigned July 22[44]
254 * Derrek TuszkaLBNorth Dakota Statesigned July 22[44]
* Compensatory selection[45]

Draft trades

Trade partner Broncos give Broncos receive Source
Jacksonville Jaguars2020 fourth-round selection (No. 137—from SF)Cornerback A. J. Bouye[46]
New England PatriotsOriginal 2020 sixth-round selection (No. 195)Cornerback Duke Dawson
2020 seventh-round selection (No. 237—later traded to TEN)
[47]
Pittsburgh Steelers2019 first-round selection2019 first-round selection
2020 third-round selection—No. 83
[48]
San Francisco 49ersWide receiver Emmanuel Sanders
Original 2020 fifth-round selection (No. 156)
2020 third-round selection—No. 95
2020 fourth-round selection (No. 137—later traded to JAX)
[49]
Tennessee Titans2020 seventh-round selection (No. 237—from NE)Defensive end Jurrell Casey[50]
Washington RedskinsQuarterback Case Keenum
Original 2020 seventh-round selection (No. 229)
2020 sixth-round selection (No. 181)[51]

Undrafted free agents

All undrafted free agents were signed on April 26—one day after the 2020 NFL Draft concluded,[52] unless noted otherwise.

2020 Denver Broncos Undrafted Free Agents
Player Position College Notes
Essang BasseyCBWake Forest
LeVante BellamyRBWestern Michigan
Douglas Coleman IIISTexas Tech
Kendall HintonWRWake Forest
Riley NealQBVanderbiltwaived July 27[7]
Zimari ManningWRTarleton Statewaived July 28[22]
Hunter WattsOTCentral Arkansas

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Staff

Denver Broncos staff
Front office
  • Owner – Estate of Pat Bowlen
  • President and CEO – Joe Ellis
  • President of Football Operations/General Manager – John Elway
  • VP of Player Personnel – Matt Russell
  • Director of Pro Personnel – A.J. Durso
  • VP of Football Administration – Rich Hurtado
  • VP of Football Operation and Compliance – Mark Thewes
  • Director of Player Development – Ray Jackson
  • Director of College Scouting – Brian Stark
  • Assistant director of College Scouting – Darren Mougey
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
 
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive Coordinator – Ed Donatell
  • Defensive Line – Bill Kollar
  • Linebackers – Reggie Herring
  • Outside Linebackers – John Pagano
  • Defensive Backs – Renaldo Hill
  • Defensive Assistant – Chris Beake
  • Assistant to the Head Coach/Defensive Quality Control – Mike Hiestand
  • Defensive Quality Control – Nathaniel Willingham
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
  • Head Strength and Conditioning – Loren Landow
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Korey Jones
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Anthony Lomando
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Cedric Smith

Coaching staff
Management
More NFL staffs

AFC East
BUF
MIA
NE
NYJ
North
BAL
CIN
CLE
PIT
South
HOU
IND
JAX
TEN
West
DEN
KC
LV
LAC
NFC East
DAL
NYG
PHI
WAS
North
CHI
DET
GB
MIN
South
ATL
CAR
NO
TB
West
ARI
LAR
SF
SEA

Current roster

Denver Broncos roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Active/Reserve lists


Rookies in italics

Roster updated August 17, 2020
Depth chartTransactions
79 active, 3 inactive

AFC rostersNFC rosters

Preseason cancellation

The Broncos' preseason schedule was announced on May 7. However, on July 27, in a letter to fans, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell officially announced the cancellation of the entire preseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[55]

Regular season

Schedule

The Broncos' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7,[56] and is subject to change, pending developments in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[55]

Week Date Time (MT) Opponent Result Record Venue TV Recap
1 September 14 8:10 p.m. Tennessee Titans Empower Field at Mile High ESPN
2 September 20 11:00 a.m. at Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field CBS
3 September 27 2:25 p.m. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Empower Field at Mile High Fox
4 October 1 6:20 p.m. at New York Jets MetLife Stadium NFLN
5 October 11 11:00 a.m. at New England Patriots Gillette Stadium CBS
6 October 18 2:05 p.m. Miami Dolphins Empower Field at Mile High CBS
7 October 25 2:25 p.m. Kansas City Chiefs Empower Field at Mile High CBS
8 Bye
9 November 8 11:00 a.m. at Atlanta Falcons Mercedes-Benz Stadium CBS
10 November 15 2:05 p.m. at Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium CBS
11 November 22 2:05 p.m. Los Angeles Chargers Empower Field at Mile High CBS
12 November 29 2:05 p.m. New Orleans Saints Empower Field at Mile High Fox
13 December 6 6:20 p.m. at Kansas City Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium NBC
14 December 13 11:00 a.m. at Carolina Panthers Bank of America Stadium CBS
15 December 19 or 20 TBD Buffalo Bills Empower Field at Mile High TBD
16 December 26 or 27 TBD at Los Angeles Chargers SoFi Stadium TBD
17 January 3 2:25 p.m. Las Vegas Raiders Empower Field at Mile High CBS

Notes

  • Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
  • Networks and times from Weeks 5–17 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.
  • As the result of Saturday flexible scheduling during Weeks 15 and 16, the date, time, and network for those two games will be finalized at a later date—by no later than four weeks prior to each game day.[57]

References

  1. O'Halloran, Ryan (January 10, 2020). "Broncos OLB coach Brandon Staley to become Rams defensive coordinator, source says". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  2. DiLalla, Aric (January 14, 2020). "Broncos name Pat Shurmur as offensive coordinator". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  3. DiLalla, Aric (January 15, 2020). "Broncos fire quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  4. Swanson, Ben (January 28, 2020). "Broncos name Mike Shula as quarterbacks coach". Denver Broncos. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  5. "Broncos name John Pagano as outside linebackers coach". Denver Broncos. February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  6. "Broncos sign 15 players to future contracts, claim NT Joel Heath off waivers". Denver Broncos. December 31, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  7. DiLalla, Aric (July 27, 2020). "Broncos make a series of roster moves". Denver Broncos. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  8. DiLalla, Aric (April 23, 2020). "Broncos waive punters Colby Wadman, Trevor Daniel". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  9. DiLalla, Aric (April 27, 2020). "Broncos waive four players following 2020 NFL Draft". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  10. "Broncos sign OL Tyler Jones to future contract". Denver Broncos. January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  11. "Bengals Sign Two Free Agents". Bengals.com. August 1, 2020.
  12. O'Halloran, Ryan (March 23, 2020). "Broncos agree to one-year deal with LB Jeremiah Attaochu". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  13. DiLalla, Aric (March 20, 2020). "Broncos re-sign CB De'Vante Bausby". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  14. Shook, Nick (May 7, 2020). "RB Devontae Booker agrees to terms with Raiders". NFL. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  15. Gantt, Darin (August 2, 2020). "Jaguars sign veteran defensive end Adam Gotsis". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  16. "Ex-Broncos CB Chris Harris agrees to join Chargers". ESPN. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  17. O'Halloran, Ryan (March 27, 2020). "Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris agrees to one-year contract to remain with team". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  18. Swanson, Ben (March 27, 2020). "Broncos re-sign LB Joe Jones, NT Joel Heath". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  19. Gantt, Darin (April 1, 2020). "Giants sign another long snapper, add Casey Kreiter". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
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  25. Baca, Michael (March 28, 2020). "Derek Wolfe agrees to 1-year deal with Ravens". ESPN. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
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  35. O'Halloran, Ryan (March 24, 2020). "Broncos come to terms with veteran punter Sam Martin on three-year deal, source says". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
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  46. DiLalla, Aric (March 3, 2020). "Reports: Broncos to trade for Pro Bowl CB A.J. Bouye". Denver Broncos. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  47. Smith, Michael David (August 30, 2019). "Patriots trade Duke Dawson to Broncos". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  48. DiLalla, Aric (April 25, 2019). "Broncos select TE Noah Fant with 20th-overall pick". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  49. O'Halloran, Ryan (October 22, 2019). "Broncos trade WR Emmanuel Sanders to San Francisco 49ers". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
  50. O'Halloran, Ryan (March 18, 2020). "Broncos agree to trade for DT Jurrell Casey from Tennessee Titans". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  51. O'Halloran, Ryan (March 7, 2019). "Broncos to trade quarterback Case Keenum to Redskins, according to league source". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  52. DiLalla, Aric (April 26, 2020). "Broncos agree to terms with seven college free agents". Denver Broncos. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  53. DiLalla, Aric (July 30, 2020). "Broncos place FB/TE Andrew Beck on Reserve/COVID-19 list". Denver Broncos. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  54. DiLalla, Aric (August 3, 2020). "RT Ja'Wuan James informs Broncos he is opting out of 2020 season". Denver Broncos. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
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