{"id":691585,"date":"2026-04-01T09:27:55","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T09:27:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/691585\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T09:27:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T09:27:55","slug":"broncos-sean-payton-comments-on-re-signing-1228-yard-te","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/691585\/","title":{"rendered":"Broncos’ Sean Payton Comments on Re-Signing 1,228-Yard TE"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Sean\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton watches warm ups before a game against the Arizona Cardinals.<\/p>\n

Despite a loud trade for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle<\/a>, the Denver Broncos<\/a> have been awfully quiet when it comes to signing free agents this offseason.<\/p>\n

The Broncos went through the March 9-11 free agency window without a whisper. Letting safety P.J. Locke<\/a> sign with the Dallas Cowboys<\/a>, and defensive end John Franklin-Myers<\/a> sign with the Tennessee Titans.<\/a><\/p>\n

However, head coach Sean Payton was sure about one thing, re-signing tight end Adam Trautman.<\/a> The Broncos signed Trautman to a three-year, $17 million contract,<\/a> and fans were not happy.<\/p>\n

One of the Broncos biggest weaknesses is the tight end position.<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the Adam Trautman deal:<\/p>\n

Why?<\/p>\n

Sean Payton spoke about his reasoning for resigning Trautman at the NFL<\/a> Annual League meeting on Tuesday, March 31.<\/p>\n

\"Adam<\/p>\n

Getty<\/p>\n

Sean Payton Feared Losing Adam Trautman to NFC Contenders, Bills and Bears<\/p>\n

At the 2026 NFL Annual League coaches breakfast, Sean Payton discusses the value that tight end Adam Trautman adds to the team.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know exactly what you\u2019re getting in [Trautman],\u201d Payton said per a video posted by Luca Evans on X.<\/a> \u201cIf we want to run the ball well, he\u2019s one of the better blocking tight ends, he\u2019s really good in pass protection.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know exactly what Adam is. That was just going to take time to see where the market valued him, and so, I\u2019m glad he\u2019s back. We don\u2019t take him for granted,\u201d Payton said about the tight end.<\/p>\n

Payton also alluded to the fear of Buffalo Bill<\/a>s offensive coordinator, Pete Carmichael, and Chicago Bears<\/a> tight end coach, Jim Dray, snagging Trautman off the market.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have a little more exposure to your free agents\u2026 and so that was a little bit of a concern,\u201d Payton expressed.<\/p>\n

\"Eli<\/p>\n

Getty<\/p>\n

Denver Broncos Still Looking to Address Tight End Position in 2026 NFL Draft<\/p>\n

While Sean Payton explained his decision to resign TE2 Adam Trautman, he has not ruled out getting to know the 2026 tight end draft class.<\/p>\n

Sean Payton, asked on this \u201926 TE draft class \u2014 said he hasn\u2019t done a ton of eval, team will enter draft lockdown starting Wednesday AM. Said he\u2019s \u201canxious\u201d to see good prospects in TE class.<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully we can get to know \u2018em, and possibly have a target in there.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Denver Broncos have been linked to Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers in several 2026 mock drafts.<\/a><\/p>\n

Stowers recorded the highest vertical jump (45.5\u201d) at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, breaking the record for tight ends.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cStowers is an explosive quarterback convert with just three years at the tight end position. He\u2019s an excellent athlete with long arms but needs to keep filling out his frame,\u201d NFL writer Lance Zierlein said about Stowers in his scouting profile on NFL.com.<\/a> \u201cHe\u2019s a natural pass catcher with an outstanding catch radius and massive run-after-catch talent.<\/p>\n

NFL reporter Arye Pulli<\/a> shared that Ole Miss tight end Dae\u2019Quan Wright, had a virtual interview with the Broncos.<\/p>\n

\u201cWright is a high-cut, tight-hipped tight end who can stretch the field vertically but lacks fluidity and bend for crisp route breaks from speed,\u201d Zierlein said in his scouting profile.<\/a> \u201cHe builds speed to threaten defenses, working the vertical limbs of the route tree. He can gain an advantage on linebackers when aligned outside. He\u2019s big and strong enough to improve as a run blocker but needs better technique and commitment in that area.<\/p>\n

\"Adam<\/p>\n

Getty<\/p>\n

Adam Trautman\u2019s history with Sean Payton<\/p>\n

Before Adam Trautman was a Denver Bronco, the tight end was a New Orleans Saint.<\/a> With none other than Sean Payton as his head coach.<\/p>\n

Payton drafted Trautman out of Dayton in the 2020 NFL Draft<\/a>. When Payton made his way to Denver, he made sure to trade for the tight end before the 2023 season<\/a> even started.<\/p>\n

Trautman\u2019s return in 2026 should not be a surprise to Broncos fans, as he has played his entire six-year career under Sean Payton.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMcKenna Van Gundy<\/a> McKenna Van Gundy is a sports journalist covering the NFL for Heavy.com. She spent two years as a sports contributor for her University’s newspaper, covering games and writing feature stories on players and coaches. She currently works for the NFL as a digital programming associate and lives in the greater Los Angeles area. More about McKenna Van Gundy<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Broncos\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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