Matt Henningsen, Denver Broncos
Getty
Matt Henningsen #91 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Indianapolis Colts.
Head coach Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos agreed to new contracts with three players on the first official day of free agency. However, they failed to snap what has become a polarizing 2026 offseason transaction window.
Adam Prentice, Lucas Krull, and Matt Henningsen all got new deals.
They all return after helping the Broncos win 14 games and reach the AFC Championship Game last season. Still, the moves have left something to be desired for some outside observers.
Broncos Bring Back Veteran Trio in Free Agency
Lucas Krull
GettyLucas Krull #85 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Indianapolis Colts.
Henningsen is the only draft pick of the group, Broncos or otherwise. The Broncos selected Hennsingsen 206th overall in 2022. He played in all 17 regular-season games as a reserve over his first two seasons. He did not see the field in 2024 or 2025.
Henningsen, who turns 27 in May, missed this past season due to an injury.
He has 40 total tackles, 2 pass deflections, and 1.0 sacks during his career. He could have a path to playing time following the departure of John Franklin-Myers.
Krull has been with the Broncos since 2023. Krull began his career with the New Orleans Saints. He has 29 receptions for 262 yards and 1 touchdown in 24 career games with seven starts. He played in 23 of those games and logged all of his starts with Denver.
Krull joins a room that also has Adam Trautman, Caleb Lohner, Evan Engram, and Nate Adkins.
Prentice and Krull were teammates on the Saints. The veteran fullback signed with the Broncos as a free agent in 2025, starting three games and playing in all 17 during the season.
Prentice has 10 career carries for 44 yards, adding a 6-53-0 line as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. His return will limit Adkins’ duties as an H-back, allowing him to operate more as a tight end, but also shining a light on the questions around the Broncos’ free agency approach.
Despite their activity during free agency, the Broncos have created a divide amongst their base.
Broncos Taking Polarizing Approach to Free Agency
Sean Payton, Denver Broncos
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Broncos’ tight end room is deep but underwhelming, considering the expectations for them to seek out ways to improve the group. Instead, they return their entire selection from the 2025 season, which left much to be desired.
The Broncos still have time to add, particularly in the 2026 draft.
However, their tight end room is not the only position group the Broncos have ignored in terms of outside talent in free agency.
The Broncos and Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are the only teams that have yet to sign an outside free agent. Denver has retained 15 of its 21 free agents, but also lost two key starters in Franklin-Myers and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, whom they are supposed to be cutting.
That reality has left a split in Broncos Country.
The Broncos have some reason to be confident amid a busy free agency, and they have been linked to various wide receivers and running backs in free agency and via trade.
Moreover, Bo Nix missed the Broncos’ 10-7 AFCCG loss to the New England Patriots. That instills confidence that the Broncos are closer than not, and are better off targeting specific players rather than throwing money at a position in free agency.