Broncos Sign QB to Active Roster on Eve of Season-Opener

Ehlinger was released on Aug. 28 as part of final roster cuts. Broncos head coach Sean Payton insisted the 26-year-old is "a guy we want back," and the feeling ultimately was mutual as Ehlinger turned down offers from other NFL organizations to join their practice squad.

“I know he had opportunity out there, I'm not exactly sure what. It was a priority for us to keep Sam, either on the 53 [-man roster]… We consider him a 53 man player," Broncos general manager George Paton said after forming the initial 53-player roster. "Sam has been outstanding since he showed up. [I have] always been high on Sam at Texas, and then you watched him at the Colts. He didn't play a whole lot there, but you watch the preseason. Then when you got him here, he was better than I anticipated. Always been a good athlete, I thought he was always efficient. I didn't realize he had the arm strength. I think he has developed that arm strength over the last couple of years. He played really well. We're glad he's here. We know teams are after him, and we plan on keeping him here.”

Despite the elevation, and barring the unforeseen, Ehlinger will not see the field as the emergency third QB below Nix and Stidham. However, it's evident the Broncos weren't bluffing: they really did have a retention plan for the ex-Texas standout.

“Sam is a guy that we want back," Payton said on Aug. 29. "Now the league a few years back put in a rule that allowed you to dress a third [quarterback], but he had to be on your active roster. Every team in this league when the season starts is going to have three in the building. The question is just simply, ‘What’s the third in the building? Is he active or practice squad?’ So I think a lot of it varies when you look at the other components of your roster.”