According to The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson, the Denver Broncos have started contract talks with cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian’s agent, Deryk Gilmore. McMillian’s agent states, “We’ve had good conversations regarding Ja’Quan and his future. It’s clear the organization values him”.
As of now, there are no indications that a deal is imminent, according to Tomasson.
McMillian, a former undrafted free agent, is entering the final year of his contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2026 season. He joined the Broncos back in 2022 as an undrafted free agent signing and spent the majority of that year on the practice squad before making his NFL debut in the season finale of that year. However, his career really took off in the 2023 season.
After the Broncos’ blowout loss to the Dolphins, McMillian became the Broncos’ starting slot corner and has since turned into one of the better slot corners in the entire NFL during that span. He has had notable interceptions of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and had a game-changing interception of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the Divisional Round game last season. The Broncos would go on to win a thriller in overtime due in large part to McMillian’s incredible interception. Now, he enters 2026 as the Broncos’ starting slot corner with his eyes set on a Super Bowl and a new contract.
McMillian’s contract is up at the end of the season, and the Broncos likely have to make a decision between him and teammate Riley Moss, who is also set to be a free agent at the end of the year. Could these early conversations be a sign that they are prioritizing Ja’Quan McMillian over Moss?
Time will tell.
The Broncos also have 2025 first-round pick, cornerback Jahdae Barron, waiting for his opportunity to start. So, his development and progress in year two will factor into this as well.
We have seen the Broncos sign multiple key players to extensions over the past few seasons. Could McMillian be the next in line to receive an extension from the Broncos? At the very least, it is encouraging to see the two-sides talking and it apparently going well. History tells us, if this current Broncos regime wants to keep a player, they get a deal done. So, we will see how it all plays out, but hopefully the two can figure something out and we can keep one the NFL’s top slot corners in orange and blue for the forseeable future.
