San Francisco 49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey celebrates an overtime win against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 1, 2023. (Photo: Chris Unger/Getty Images)
What a start to free agency for the Denver Broncos.
Monday, the Broncos agreed to terms with tackle Mike McGlinchey, guard Ben Powers, defensive end Zach Allen, linebacker Alex Singleton, tight end Chris Manhertz and quarterback Jarrett Stidham. All this came on the first day teams could talk with unrestricted free agents. Players can first sign free agent contracts on Wednesday, March 15.
McGlinchey and Powers should prove to be major upgrades to an offensive line that needed an infusion of talent. McGlinchey figures to be the starter at right tackle while Powers should slide in at left guard and push four-year starter Dalton Risner to another team.
McGlinchey, 28, was the ninth overall pick out of Notre Dame in the 2018 draft and spent the first five years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. Powers is 26 years old and last year emerged as a starter with the Baltimore Ravens, who drafted him from Oklahoma in the fourth round in 2019
Allen also cashes in on his second contract after spending his first four years in the league with the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona selected Allen in the third round out of Boston College in 2019. Last year while playing for then-Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who now has the same position with the Broncos, Allen had 47 tackles and five-and-a-half sacks while breaking up eight passes.
Singleton returns to the Broncos after spending last year with Denver. He came into his own and led the Broncos with 163 tackles. He added six tackles for loss and forced a fumble.
Manhertz, 30, is a blocking tight end who should help the Broncos running game. He was with the Jacksonville Jaguars the last two years. He has also played for the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Stidham, 26, appeared in five games as Derek Carr's backup with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. He was with the Patriots his first two seasons in the NFL.
The Broncos certainly made a splash in the opening of free agency, committing to nearly $220 million and $128 million in guaranteed money.
The Broncos brought in new head coach Sean Payton after a 5-11 season in 2022. Payton will clearly have some talented new additions on the roster in his first season on the job.
The Broncos are likely poised to make more moves.
They are interested in a running back and KOA NFL Insider Ian Rapoport told the KOA Sports Zoo Alexander Mattison of the Minnesota Vikings could very well be a target. In addition, other teams are calling the Broncos to inquire about the availability of wide receivers Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler.
Check out the interview with Rapoport: