After some false rumors earlier this week about the Broncos having contract talks with cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, many wondered where the two sides stood heading into the season. Head coach Sean Payton was asked about this on Thursday, and he made it sound like McMillian would be staying with the Broncos for the foreseeable future.
Payton was asked about Ja’Quan McMillian heading into a contract year and whether or not he talks to players about that. He told reporters that McMillian is just staying focused on getting prepared to play and that the contract stuff will figure itself out.
“I think he’s so focused in preparing to play and play well. I’m sure he’ll compartmentalize that, and it will take care of itself very well. The stuff he’s putting on tape… It was his birthday the other day, and we played that interception [against Buffalo]. I told him, I said, ‘There will be a day you come to visit me, and I’ll be having applesauce. I won’t remember your name, but I’ll remember that play. You’re going to have to tell me your name, and I’m going to be able to tell you the play and the down and distance in the game.’ (Laughs) And he laughed. He’s doing real well.”
Payton telling the story about how he’ll remember that play vs. Buffalo even when he’s older and his memory is gone just shows how big of a moment that was to him. McMillian has made clutch plays like that throughout his career. He’s had a few pick-6’s, game enders, and even has a few Patrick Mahomes INTs under his belt. He has turned into one of the top slot corners in the league and a player you don’t leave the building.
When asked if McMillian is a player Payton would like to keep around long-term, he told reporters “absolutely!” and added that McMillian has all the things you’re looking for.
“Absolutely. He has all the things you’re looking for. Like when I say grit, chip on his shoulder. The ball finds him. We keep talking about taking it away. We even forget Buffalo on the road, Monday night [in] ’23. The first series of the game, ball’s out and he’s causing a fumble. He’s just around it all. That’s not just good fortune—that’s the skill set.”
The Broncos do have a decision to make at cornerback. Both Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian are entering the final year of their contracts, and the team has 2025 first round pick Jahdae Barron waiting for an opportunity. Based on these quotes, I feel McMillian is going to get a new deal from the Broncos. History tells us that when Payton and the Broncos say they want to keep a player around long-term, they do it. This regime has been giving out extensions left and right lately and it feels like McMillian could be next in line.
With that said, I feel like Payton would also say the same things about Riley Moss. He’s a player they liked and actually drafted, and is a key starter opposite of Pat Surtain II on the their defense. So, time will tell how this ultimately all plays out, but I feel like Payton’s comments bode well for McMillian.
