{"id":781056,"date":"2026-02-28T00:56:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T00:56:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/781056\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T00:56:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T00:56:32","slug":"broncos-make-first-big-move-of-offseason-likely-to-retain-jaquan-mcmillian-denver-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/781056\/","title":{"rendered":"Broncos make first big move of offseason, likely to retain Ja\u2019Quan McMillian \u2013 Denver Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Denver Broncos want cornerback Ja\u2019Quan McMillian back in 2026.<\/p>\n

That looks likely to happen.<\/p>\n

On Friday news broke that the Broncos have placed a second-round tender on McMillian, worth almost $6 million. Other teams can still offer him a contract in free agency, but would have to give Denver a valuable Round 2 pick if he left and the Broncos decided not to match the deal.<\/p>\n

Broncos are placing the second-round tender ($5.8M) on CB Ja\u2019Quan McMillian, per sources. <\/p>\n

One of Denver\u2019s top ball disrupters, McMillian had four sacks, two interceptions and nine pass deflections in \u201825 \u2013 including a memorable snatch from Brandin Cooks to seal a playoff win. pic.twitter.com\/g0I2z9W3CW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

McMillian had a massive interception of Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Broncos won the game 33-30 in OT after Bo Nix and the offense got kicker Wil Lutz in field-goal range following the pick by McMillian.<\/p>\n

The play was somewhat controversial<\/a>, with Bills fans claiming wide receiver Brandin Cooks actually caught the football. However, multiple angles showed it was never really secured by Cooks and McMillian ripped it away clean.<\/p>\n

As an undrafted player, if the the Broncos had tendered McMillian at his original level, Denver would\u2019ve gotten no compensation if he left. So by doing this, GM George Paton and head coach Sean Payton cover themselves, but McMillian has a higher cap figure now.<\/p>\n

His agent Deryk Gilmore spoke with several media members at the NFL Combine and doesn\u2019t expect another team to put an offer sheet in front of McMillian<\/a>, where his salary could be around $16 million. This almost assuredly means he\u2019ll be back with the Broncos.<\/p>\n

Denver selected cornerback Jahdae Barron in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft, but McMillian had a great season and will remain in the fold for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Playing time for Barron might be hard to come by in his sophomore campaign.<\/p>\n

The Broncos could also potentially move someone like Riley Moss, clearing the way for Barron to play corner on the outside.<\/p>\n

Regardless, this is a move that will make Broncos Country happy. Retaining McMillian on an already elite defense is a great first step of the offseason.<\/p>\n

Follow @PetersenWill<\/a><\/p>\n

\t
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

\t
\n<\/a><\/p>\n