Broncos, Chiefs Release Key Players in Tender Decisions

NFL teams make tough choices on restricted and exclusive-rights free agents ahead of draft

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:03am

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes in shades of navy, green, and orange, conceptually representing the complex roster decisions made by NFL teams.The Broncos and Chiefs' tender decisions reveal the intricate strategic considerations behind NFL roster management.Denver Today

The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs have made surprising decisions not to tender contracts to defensive lineman Matt Henningsen and offensive lineman Mike Caliendo, respectively, making them free agents. These moves raise questions about the teams' roster strategies as they approach the NFL draft.

Why it matters

Tender decisions are a crucial part of the NFL offseason, shaping the future of players and teams. The Broncos' and Chiefs' choices to let Henningsen and Caliendo hit free agency could indicate shifts in their defensive and offensive line philosophies, potentially signaling a focus on younger talent or different scheme fits.

The details

The Broncos decided not to tender Matt Henningsen, a defensive lineman who has been a rotational player for the team over the past two seasons. This makes Henningsen a free agent, free to explore opportunities with other teams. The Chiefs made a similar move with Mike Caliendo, an offensive lineman who has appeared in 42 games and started 7 over the past three years for Kansas City.

  • The tender decisions were made on March 7, 2026, ahead of the upcoming NFL draft.

The players

Matt Henningsen

A defensive lineman who has been a rotational player for the Denver Broncos over the past two seasons.

Mike Caliendo

An offensive lineman who has appeared in 42 games and started 7 over the past three years for the Kansas City Chiefs.

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What’s next

As the NFL free agency period approaches, it will be interesting to see if Henningsen and Caliendo find new teams that value their skills and experience, or if they return to the Broncos and Chiefs with new contracts.

The takeaway

The Broncos' and Chiefs' decisions to not tender Henningsen and Caliendo highlight the complex nature of NFL roster management, as teams must balance retaining proven talent with making way for new additions and potential scheme fits. These moves could have significant implications for the teams' defensive and offensive line strategies heading into the 2026 season.