Denver Broncos Owner and CEO Greg Penner said on March 30 that the team’s recent trade for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle fits with Denver’s approach to be “opportunistically aggressive” this offseason. Speaking at the NFL Annual Meeting, Penner explained that the move was only made because it met high standards set by last season’s roster and performance.
Penner said, “We went into this, and we were prepared to be aggressive if we thought that there was an opportunity. At the same time, we weren’t going to be aggressive just to be aggressive.” He added that Waddle’s track record of three 1,000-yard seasons in five years made him a strong addition. “The bar was high if we were going to go get someone in free agency that we thought could be a better addition. The opportunistic part was when we saw something to take a big swing [on], we were going to be willing to take a big swing. That is what we did with the Waddle trade,” Penner said.
Penner also described positive early interactions with Waddle since his arrival in Denver. “We think that he has all the aspects that are important to us,” he said. “Obviously, he is a tremendous playmaker but also a great locker room guy. He has grit, professionalism and a high level of intellectual-ness around football and his performance.”
General Manager George Paton discussed retaining more than twelve impending free agents as part of their strategy after evaluating both internal players and external options during free agency. Paton said, “We like our players… We won a lot of games with these guys. They fit the culture, and not everyone does.” He also pointed out recent contract extensions for key players such as Pat Surtain II and Courtland Sutton as evidence of their commitment.
Paton noted flexibility from these moves allowed Denver to pursue trades like acquiring Waddle: “If we just jumped out and made a big splashy [signing], we wouldn’t have been able to make the trade.”
In other updates from Monday’s meeting, Penner reported quarterback Bo Nix is making good progress recovering from an ankle injury: “He’s attacked his recovery in the same way that he attacks preparing for games.” There are no concerns about Nix being ready for voluntary offseason activities.
Additionally, Head Coach Sean Payton decided Offensive Coordinator Davis Webb will call plays in 2026—a decision Penner described as entirely Payton’s choice aimed at giving Denver its best chance for success.
