Ben Powers, Denver Broncos
Getty
Ben Powers #74 of the Denver Broncos in action against the New Orleans Saints.
The Denver Broncos are living by an age-old adage, which is that if something is not broke, there is no reason to try fixing it. The Broncos appear to have applied that logic to their roster and, specifically, Ben Powers.
Teams coming off double-digit-win seasons like the 14-win Broncos aim to fine-tune their groups, not shuffle the deck, unless they have to.
For the Broncos, there was no need to force the issue.
Broncos Deliver Good News to Ben Powers
Ben Powers, Denver Broncos
GettyBen Powers #74 of the Denver Broncos blocks against the New Orleans Saints.
Powers, who turns 30 in October, just completed his third season with the Broncos. A fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2019 draft, he signed with Denver in free agency in 2023, inking a four-year, $52 million contract that included $27 million guaranteed.
Powers has earned $43.9 million in his career.
He has an $18.1 million cap hit in 2026 that seemingly made him a prime candidate for some kind of action on his contract. That is not the case.
“Per source, #Broncos have decided not to ask starting LG Ben Powers to take a pay cut from his $13m. Not going to trade him; not going to release him. He’s their starting left guard,” 9News’ Mike Klis reported on X on March 5.
“Wise move.”
Powers has started 76 of his 89 career games, and 40 of 42 contests in a Broncos uniform. He is coming off an injury-shortened 2025 season, making the decision stand out even more.
“A bit of a surprise given he has no guaranteed money left and an $18 million number, but not surprising they want him in the lineup and playing,” The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel posted in reaction to the news.
“Status quo over some cap savings.”
The Broncos signed reserve offensive lineman Alex Palczewski to a two-year extension earlier in the day, a move that ultimately had no impact on Powers’ status.
Ben Powers Will Not Get Contract Extension
Ben Powers, Denver Broncos
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos takes a snap as Ben Powers #74 blocks against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Part of the uncertainty around Powers was due to the fact that he was also a potential candidate to receive an extension.
“Powers enters a contract year in 2026, set to earn $13M against an $18.4M cap hit,” Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti wrote in January. “A bicep injury cut the 29-year-old’s 2025 campaign in half, but he’ll return as the expected starting left guard heading into the offseason. He projects toward a 3 year, $42M extension in our system.”
Instead, the Broncos will keep their options open. Powers will be a free agent after the 2026 season, which could still prove to be his final in Denver if the two sides continue on their current trajectory.
The Broncos still have free agency and the 2026 draft to add an eventual successor.
Palczewski filled in for Powers last season, but he is a tackle by trade. The Broncos could draft a guard this year and let that prospect develop behind Powers, letting the latter walk in 2027.
Per Over The Cap, the Broncos have $25.2 million in space before making any further moves this offseason. They could still create more room by reworking the contracts of other players on their roster.
But that just kicks the can down the road, which the Broncos have avoided with Powers.