Ranking the Five Worst Free Agent Signings in Broncos History
Free agency is often where contenders separate themselves from the pack. Smart signings can fill critical roster gaps, elevate position groups, and push a team from competitive to championship-caliber. But when those moves miss, the consequences can be severe.
The Denver Broncos know this reality all too well. Throughout their history, the Broncos have made several bold additions that looked promising on paper – only to unravel due to injuries, off-the-field issues, or simple underperformance. Here’s a look at the five worst free agent acquisitions Denver has ever made:
5. Donald Stephenson (2016)
Seeking stability along the offensive line, the Broncos signed Donald Stephenson to a three-year, $14 million deal in 2016 with the hope that he would solidify the right tackle position. Prior to signing with Denver, Stephenson had spent four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, appearing in 60 games with 21 starts. Stephenson had an up-and-down tenure with the Chiefs and never started more than seven games in a single season, making the signing a gamble for the Broncos.
It’s safe to say Denver’s bet on Stephenson didn’t pay off. In 2016, Stephenson was flagged for a career-high nine penalties – including six false starts – and finished the season with Pro Football Focus’ lowest overall grade of any offensive lineman at 28.0. The Broncos’ Week 10 clash with the New Orleans Saints summed up Stephenson’s 2016 campaign in a nutshell, as he allowed two quarterback hits and four quarterback hurries on just 31 snaps in pass protection in that contest.
Stephenson was subpar once again in 2017 and his contract with Denver was voided in 2018. His tenure served as a stark reminder that betting big on a player with a shaky track record rarely pays off.
4. Jarvis Green (2010)
When the Broncos signed Jarvis Green to a four-year, $20 million deal in 2010, the expectation was clear: he would bring championship experience and help shore up the middle of the defense against the run. Green won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and was well-versed in the 3-4 alignment that then-head coach Josh McDaniels implemented in Denver after leaving Bill Belichick’s Patriots staff. But this signing wasn’t foolproof, as Green was coming off knee surgery to repair a meniscus injury and had just three combined sacks in the previous two seasons.
Unfortunately, Green’s tenure with the Broncos lasted just six months. He was beat out at his position in the preseason by Ryan McBean. In reality, Green never appeared to seriously challenge McBean for the starting role.
Credit the Broncos for cutting their losses instead of doubling down when they realized they made a bad signing, but giving a player a four-year contract just to cut them before playing a regular-season snap is a huge flop. Denver desperately needed to upgrade its weak pass rush in 2010 and was hoping Green would be part of the solution. Instead, he would become a cautionary tale.
3. Randy Gregory (2022)
Randy Gregory might not be the Broncos’ worst free agent signing ever, but a case could be made that he was the most disappointing. When Denver inked Gregory to a five-year, $70 million pact in 2022, the Broncos believed they had secured a dynamic edge rusher capable of transforming their pass rush. In 2021 with the Dallas Cowboys, Gregory recorded six sacks and tied for the most turnovers by pressure with five, per Next Gen Stats.
But injuries and inconsistency plagued Gregory’s time with Denver. He played in just 10 games for the Broncos and tallied only three sacks before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers midway through the 2023 campaign. To make that trade happen, Denver agreed to pay roughly $10 million of Gregory’s remaining salary, while the 49ers only had to pay him the veteran minimum for the remainder of the season.
The silver lining here was that the promising development of outside linebackers Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper was able to effectively offset the Broncos’ costly misfire. Bonitto wound up becoming one of the league’s best pass rushers – registering a combined 27.5 sacks in 2024 and 2025 – earning Pro Bowl nods in both seasons. All things considered, this could’ve – and perhaps should’ve – gone a lot worse for Denver.
2. Daryl Gardener (2003)
After posting 52 total tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles with the Washington then-Redskins in 2002, Daryl Gardener hit the free agent market and cashed in with the Broncos. Denver signed Gardener to a seven-year, $35 million contract in 2003, expecting him to anchor its defensive interior for years to come. What followed was a short and turbulent stay.
Gardener was arrested for getting into a fight outside a pancake house prior to training camp. In the process, he suffered a wrist injury that knocked him out of action until Week 6 of the regular season. He was twice suspended for conduct detrimental to the team and later deactivated for the final three games of the season.
Ultimately, Gardener played in only five games for the Broncos – registering just eight total tackles and zero sacks in those contests. Denver cut him in 2004 and then tried to recoup some of his signing bonus, leading to a legal dispute. The two sides eventually reached an undisclosed settlement.
1. Ja'Wuan James (2019)
Hoping to secure a cornerstone right tackle after numerous failed attempts at finding one, the Broncos signed Ja'Wuan James to a massive four-year, $52 million deal in 2019. Denver’s struggles to find a quality right tackle were well-documented by this point, and the Broncos were anticipating that James would change this narrative. Instead, he reinforced it.
James only played in three games in 2019 due to a knee injury he suffered in the season-opener. He then opted out the 2020 campaign due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, prior to the 2021 season, James tore his Achilles while training away from Denver’s team facility, prompting the Broncos to release him. James then filed a $15 million grievance against Denver after the remainder of his guaranteed salary was voided, arguing he was working out away from the team facility under the guidance of the Broncos.
In the end, James played just three games and 63 snaps for Denver. But in hindsight, the Broncos really should have seen this coming, as James had a concerning track record of injuries during his five-year tenure with the Miami Dolphins. He missed all but seven games due to a toe issue with the Dolphins in 2015, then played just eight games in 2017 before suffering a knee injury that landed him on the injured reserve. Few signings better illustrate the risks of betting big on a player with a lengthy injury history.
