Travis Etienne absent as Broncos cap picture and $14M running back chase emerge
Denver’s free-agency runway sharpened Monday as the Broncos prepared for the legal-tampering window, with travis etienne not referenced in the team’s running back discussion while a separate report linked Denver to Seahawks runner Kenneth Walker at a potential $14 million per year price. Walker can agree to terms as soon as Monday at noon ET.
Kenneth Walker draws Broncos, Chiefs and Seahawks attention
A rumor connecting the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs to Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker set up a potential bidding battle around $14 million annually, a figure that would be a major mark for a runner. The report framed Walker as widely viewed as the best on the open market and expected to have plenty of suitors, even as it questioned whether he fits the profile of a do-it-all back at that cost.
The Chiefs’ interest was tied to two pending free agents at running back, Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, who were described as leaving a lot to be desired in 2025. Denver’s need was linked to J. K. Dobbins reaching free agency and uncertainty about a return after another injury ended his season early.
John Schneider and Seattle’s cap space shape Walker decision
Seattle was described as being in the strongest position to keep Walker because it has $55. 4 million in cap space, but the report said it remains to be seen whether Seahawks general manager John Schneider would go as high as the projected annual number. Among the three teams mentioned, Denver was listed at $34. 7 million in cap space, while Kansas City was cited at $24 million.
Sean Payton and George Paton weigh Denver’s flexible cap options
Denver entered the period with a “fluid salary cap situation, ” with one cap snapshot putting the Broncos at around $20 million in space, a figure that included Ja’Quan McMillian’s second-round free-agent tender carrying a $5. 767 million cap number for the 2026 season. That estimate also factored in several exclusive-rights free agent signings, while excluding a two-year extension for Alex Palczewski, three-year extensions for Justin Strnad and Adam Trautman, and one-year deals for Nate Adkins and Sam Ehlinger.
A restructure for Quinn Meinerz was described as opening $11 million in space, and the club was also said to have options to pursue simple restructures with Jonathon Cooper, Talanoa Hufanga and Mike McGlinchey. Potential cap relief pathways also included moving on from offensive lineman Matt Peart, a step described as saving $3. 225 million with $750, 000 in dead money, and the possibility of a Jarrett Stidham trade that was described as saving $6. 5 million with $1. 5 million in dead money.
The next key checkpoint arrives with the legal-tampering period opening Monday at noon ET, when Kenneth Walker can agree to terms and teams can negotiate, though official announcements must wait until the new league year begins Wednesday at 2: 00 pm ET.
