The Broncos made another player retention official on Monday, re-signing edge rusher Dondrea Tillman to a one-year, exclusive-rights contract.
The move is essentially a formality, as Tillman had no other options as an exclusive-rights free agent. The only way he could play anywhere else would be if the Broncos declined to offer him a tender, but following two solid seasons after adding him following a three-year stint with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (previously the United States Football League), there was no reason not to bring him back.
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania product has notched nine sacks and 16 total quarterback hits over the last two seasons. He also began blossoming in coverage, picking off two passes last season — one of which he returned 36 yards in the Week 10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Tillman’s play is one of the reasons why 2025 fourth-round selection Que Robinson couldn’t get on the field much last season; Tillman and Jonah Elliss played so well that they blocked the promising Alabama product. Elliss will now get some repetitions at inside linebacker during OTAs in June as the Broncos look to expand the 2024 third-round pick’s repertoire while easing the logjam.
Players will return to Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit for team-organized workouts on May 4. On-field OTAs will commence in June.
