Broncos Bring Back Tight End Adam Trautman on 3-Year Deal

The move raises questions about the team's plans at the tight end position ahead of free agency.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Denver Broncos have re-signed tight end Adam Trautman to a three-year contract, surprising many who expected the team to look outside the organization to upgrade the position. The Broncos had a disappointing season from free-agent acquisition Evan Engram, leading to speculation they would target a new starting tight end in free agency. However, the Trautman signing suggests the team is content to stick with the status quo, at least for now.

Why it matters

The Broncos' decision to re-sign Trautman, who has been a relatively unproductive player, raises questions about the team's strategy at the tight end position. With Engram also under contract, the Broncos may be passing on opportunities to significantly improve the position through free agency, which could impact the team's offensive production in 2026.

The details

The Broncos have agreed to a three-year deal with tight end Adam Trautman, keeping him in Denver after a season in which the team's tight end group underwhelmed. Many expected the Broncos to pursue a more dynamic pass-catching tight end in free agency to complement or replace Engram, but the Trautman signing suggests the team is content to stick with the status quo for now.

  • The Broncos re-signed Trautman on Sunday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Adam Trautman

A tight end who has been with the Broncos for the past two seasons.

Evan Engram

A free-agent acquisition by the Broncos last year who had a disappointing season.

Sean Payton

The head coach of the Denver Broncos who seems to have a fondness for Trautman.

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What they’re saying

“This is a bit of a surprising move for the Broncos, who have a need for much more output out of the tight end position.”

— Travis Wakeman, Author (sportingnews.com)

“All due respect to Klis, but this assertion that Trautman is "one of the best pure blocking TEs in the game" is just not true. He's average at best.”

— Travis Wakeman, Author (sportingnews.com)

What’s next

The Broncos will need to determine if they are satisfied with their tight end group heading into free agency or if they will still look to upgrade the position through outside signings.

The takeaway

The Broncos' decision to re-sign Trautman raises questions about their strategy at the tight end position, as many expected the team to pursue a more dynamic option in free agency to complement or replace the underperforming Engram. This move suggests the Broncos are content to stick with the status quo, at least for now, which could impact their offensive production in the 2026 season.