Broncos Re-Sign Three Players To New Contracts

As free agency approaches on Wednesday, March 11, the Denver Broncos are making moves and on Sunday decided to work out deals with three players who were on their roster this past season. Here’s more information on the players who will be staying in Denver in 2026.

Broncos Re-Sign Three Players To New Contracts

Justin Strnad — Linebacker

After signing a one-year $2.7 million deal with the Broncos last year, Justin Strnad has an even better contract this year as he agreed to a three-year $18 million contract extension with the team.

The Broncos drafted the Palm Harbor, Florida, native and Wake Forest alum 178th overall in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Entering his seventh season, Strnad has 177 tackles, 7.5 sacks, six pass deflections, and one interception since first suiting up in a Broncos uniform.

In Denver’s most recent season, Strnad had 21 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, and made his first career interception against New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.

With Strnad staying, it will be interesting to see whether the Broncos can reach an agreement with free agent linebacker Alex Singleton or if they let him pursue other options.

Adam Trautman — Tight End

Adam Trautman’s contract with the Broncos would have expired on March 13, but like Strnad, Trautman will also be staying in Denver as he signed a three-year, $17 million extension.

It’s no surprise the Broncos are bringing the Williamsburg, Michigan, native back to their tight ends room. Trautman was drafted out of Dayton by the New Orleans Saints with the 105th overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His first NFL coach was the Broncos’ current head coach, Sean Payton.

Trautman stayed in New Orleans until early 2023, after being traded to Denver in April 2023, a few months after the organization hired Payton as its coach. Trautman has caught 115 receptions for 1,228 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns over the span of his career.

Most recently, Trautman caught 20 receptions for 195 yards and one touchdown while averaging 9.75 yards per catch in 2025. Since Trautman wasn’t the Broncos’ most productive tight end, many will have their eyes on whether the Broncos will still try to pursue another tight end in free agency or the draft.

Nate Adkins — Tight End

The Broncos also decided to give tight end Nate Adkins a one-year deal. Adkins, who is from Knoxville, Tennessee, played collegiately at East Tennessee State from 2018-2021 and at South Carolina in 2022.

As an undrafted free agent who signed with Denver in 2023, Adkins has caught 24 receptions for 185 yards and four receiving touchdowns as he’s preparing to enter his fourth year in the NFL.

In 2025, Adkins was third on the Broncos’ depth chart of tight ends and was the least productive, catching six receptions for 48 yards and one touchdown while also averaging eight yards per catch. Adkins’ return makes it seem like the Broncos are just looking for security at the position, but may still have their eyes on trying to add a tight end who can be efficient but also won’t cost the team a lot of money.