Broncos enter bye at 7-2

The Denver Broncos enter their bye week with a 7-2 record after defeating the Carolina Panthers 26-21 on Sunday in Charlotte. This result caps a five-game winning streak for a team that has struggled early in the season but found stability in recent weeks. The squad now pauses its schedule to rest before the second half of the campaign begins.

General Manager George Paton and Head Coach Sean Payton face the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday. League sources indicate that Denver is unlikely to make a major acquisition unless the price is right. Payton declined to confirm a specific target, noting that the team likes its current roster. The Broncos have less than $5 million in cap space, which limits their ability to add expensive talent. Denver also holds multiple draft picks for 2027, a factor that encourages patience in the market.

The team will use the week to evaluate its running game and defensive health. Rookie running back Jonah Coleman has emerged as the primary back, recording 47 career carries. Wide receiver Pat Bryant returned from injured reserve and caught four passes for 56 yards in Sunday’s game. He joined Courtland Sutton as the only Broncos with four games of at least 42 receiving yards this season. Both players are expected to play larger roles in the passing game during the second half.

Several key players missed Sunday’s contest due to injuries. Safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, cornerbacks Riley Moss and Kris Abrams-Draine, and running backs R.J. Harvey and Tyler Badie did not play. Defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike and outside linebacker Jonah Elliss remain on injured reserve. Hufanga has missed four games with an ankle injury, while Moss and Abrams-Draine are dealing with other ailments. The Broncos hope to have Moss, Waddle, Hufanga, Jones, and Abrams-Draine back for their next game against Las Vegas on November 22.

Defensive back Ja’Quan McMillian made his second NFL homecoming to North Carolina a productive one. The Winston-Salem native recorded six tackles, two for loss, and a sack of Bryce Young in the final minutes. McMillian noted that 30 to 40 friends and family members attended the game at Bank of America Stadium. He described the win as a special moment after watching his first homecoming as an undrafted rookie in 2022.

The Broncos will give the team a full week off, though players will continue treatment and workouts. Quarterback Bo Nix said the break allows the group to rest and review recent performances. The team will return to action against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 22. Denver will also decide on contract extensions for several players, including McMillian, during this period. The club has a long list of free agents set to expire after the season, making the bye week a critical time for negotiations.