Denver Broncos left guard Ben Powers agreed to a restructured contract, a bombshell dropped by 9News insider Mike Klis right before veterans report for training camp. This isn’t a minor tweak, though; his original nearly $18 million salary cap hit for the 2026 season is now expected to be much, much lower. The official details aren’t out yet, but Klis is reporting a decrease in base salary paired with an increase in guaranteed money. This is the final year of Powers’ four-year, $52 million deal he signed in 2023 after spending his first four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
Injuries, Production, and a New Challenger
Powers’ path with the Broncos hasn’t been smooth sailing. Last season, he missed a big chunk of time after tearing his bicep in Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He battled back, returning in mid-December, but then had to gut out the rest of the season with a Lisfranc injury, which Klis first shed light on. Despite the injuries, Powers has been a pretty consistent starter for Denver, appearing in 42 games and starting 40 over his three seasons. In that time, the former Oklahoma Sooners standout allowed just 9 sacks and only three penalties. But here’s the kicker: this training camp, we’re looking at a serious competition for that left guard spot. Alex Palczewski stepped up admirably when Powers was out last season, even earning himself a lucrative two-year contract extension earlier this offseason. You know that battle is going to be intense.
Cap Space Shuffle and What’s Next
So, what’s behind this move, really? Before this restructure, the Broncos had $29 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap. With a ton of quality players potentially hitting free agency after 2026 and a possible Bo Nix extension on the horizon, the Broncos’ front office is expected to roll over a big chunk of that cap space into 2027, where they currently sit with only $11 million available. This restructure frees up crucial funds now, giving them some breathing room as they navigate future big deals. All eyes will be on training camp now to see how this O-line competition shakes out, especially with the financial implications hanging over the 2027 season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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