The Broncos wanted Sam Ehlinger back. The feeling was mutual.
A day after Ehlinger was the last release within Denver’s 53-man roster plans, the quarterback was signed to the Broncos practice squad. It gives the Broncos their QB3 for 2025, as head coach Sean Payton made the point Tuesday that every NFL team will carry three quarterbacks, in one form or another.
“The question’s simply, ‘What’s the third in the building?’ ” Payton said Tuesday. “Is he active, or practice squad?”
Ehlinger is on the practice squad, which is notable since a source told The Post that he had multiple offers to sign elsewhere to a team’s active roster. He’ll be eligible to be elevated to the active roster three times throughout the season, a selling point Payton recounted using to convince backup quarterback Chase Daniel to sign with New Orleans back in 2009.
“I said, ‘Chase, just leave the building,’ ” Payton said, recalling talking to Daniel while he was getting ready to sign elsewhere. ” ‘We’ll get you to the active roster for at least three games.’ ”
Daniel left the building and signed with New Orleans. Ehlinger is placing a similar trust in Payton and Denver’s system after the 2021 Indianapolis Colts sixth-round pick authored a standout preseason for the Broncos: 42 of 57 (74% completion percentage) for 415 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
After the Broncos’ 28-19 win over the Saints in their preseason finale on Saturday, Ehlinger expressed confidence in Denver’s quarterback room and roster at large.
“From top down, it’s one of the best organizations in the league,” Ehlinger said. “So it’s been great to be here, and really enjoyed it.”
Denver’s summer of retention continues to march on into late August. The Broncos [took in 39 holdovers from 2024 to their initial 53-man roster in 2025,](https://www.denverpost.com/2025/08/26/broncos-roster-analysis-sean-payton-depth/) and their entire 16-man practice squad is comprised of players from their training camp roster.
Denver’s most important retention might be inside linebacker Levelle Bailey, arguably the most surprising cut from Denver’s 53-man roster on Tuesday. The second-year inside linebacker went unclaimed on waivers and, like all of the practice squad players except for CB Reese Taylor (hamstring), was back on the field working for Wednesday’s practice.
“You’re getting a player in his second year with confidence,” Payton said of Bailey in late July.
Bailey could wind up playing a significant role in 2025 after he took frequent reps with the Broncos’ starting defense throughout camp. Undrafted rookie Karene Reid beat Bailey out for a spot on Denver’s 53-man roster, but starting linebackers Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw have both battled injuries throughout camp.
The Broncos also managed to hold on to rookie seventh-round pick Caleb Lohner. The raw tight end will now get a chance to develop on the practice squad after a shaky camp. Rookies like inside linebacker Jordan Turner, offensive lineman Joe Michalski and cornerback Jaden Robinson are also back, as are depth veterans like Delarrin Turner-Yell and guard Calvin Throckmorton.
Denver is also bringing back Adam Prentice, solving a temporary issue at fullback with starter Michael Burton out for the year and Nate Adkins (ankle) likely not back until Week 2 or 3. Prentice will likely be elevated to the active 53-man roster to start the season, similar to how Burton was used last year.
Payton has emphasized multiple times throughout camp, though, that the Broncos’ increased depth will also lead to some talent escaping to other rosters. And despite making a name for themselves in camp, none of Denver’s crop of undrafted-rookie wideouts — Jerjuan Newton, Joaquin Davis, Kyrese White and Courtney Jackson — are expected to be back in Denver, multiple sources told The Post. Jackson’s heading to Seattle.
Instead, Denver will take in familiar veterans A.T. Perry and Michael Bandy as reserve receivers.
Here’s every member who will be on the Broncos’ 16-man practice squad.
**QB** **Sam Ehlinger**
**FB Adam Prentice**
**WR Michael Bandy**
**WR A.T. Perry**
**TE Caleb Lohner**
**OL Calvin Throckmorton**
**OL Joe Michalski**
**NT Jordan Miller**
**LB Levelle Bailey**
**ILB Jordan Turner**
**CB Jaden Robinson**
**CB Reese Taylor**
**CB Quinton Newsome**
**S Delarrin Turner-Yell**
**S Keidron Smith**
**Two Broncos claimed.** Denver had two players claimed on waivers by other teams Wednesday. CB Damarri Mathis was plucked by Carolina, where the 2022 fourth-round pick will be reunited with former Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Rookie offensive tackle Xavier Truss was claimed by New Orleans, marking the second straight year Denver’s lost a young, developmental tackle prospect on waivers. Last year, it was Demontrey Jacobs to New England.
There were 29 players total claimed, including four former Los Angeles Rams. Baltimore and the L.A. Chargers lost three apiece and the Broncos were one of a handful of teams to lose two, a testament to their roster depth.
Denver not only wasn’t awarded a player on waivers, but a source said they didn’t make any claims.
**Estime to Philly.** The Broncos went without a running back on their practice squad to open the season — they’ve got a full set of four on the 53-man roster — and 2024 fifth-round draft pick Audric Estime officially has a new home. He signed to Philadelphia’s practice squad Wednesday. The Estime Era in Denver, brief as it was, is officially over.
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Originally Published: August 27, 2025 at 10:44 AM MDT