Alex Palczewski signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent again in 2023 and shortly made an impression on them. He was a standout participant throughout coaching camp and noticed himself pushing for a spot on the Broncos’ 53-man roster. In a bittersweet form of trend, Palczewski would make the Broncos’ 53-man roster, however can be positioned on the injured reserve a day later. He would stay on the IR till very late within the season, once they activated him to the principle roster.
In 12 months two, Palczewski noticed his position develop additional and made his profession debut instead of the injured Mike McGlinchey. In that restricted motion, he proved he might maintain his personal and have become one of many Broncos’ greatest reserve offensive linemen on the workforce.
This previous 12 months for the Broncos, Palczewski elevated himself from a flexible backup to a possible starter. He began the 12 months because the sixth offensive lineman who reported eligible throughout video games, which drew a cheer from the gang. Nonetheless, after beginning left guard Ben Powers went down, a possibility introduced itself. Veteran Matt Peart initially changed Powers, however after he suffered a season-ending damage in his first recreation because the substitute, Palcho took over and by no means appeared again.
Palczewski would go on to begin a complete of 10 video games for the Broncos at left guard, a place he had by no means performed earlier than, and admittedly, appeared fairly good. The offense by no means missed a beat whereas he was on the market, and he proved to the Broncos and the NFL that he’s a starting-caliber participant.
This previous offseason, Palczewski was a restricted free agent, however as a substitute of putting a young on him, the Broncos rewarded Palcho with a two-year extension value $9.5 million {dollars}. Now, he enters his fourth season with the Broncos as their prime reserve offensive lineman who might doubtlessly push for a beginning job.
Alex Palczewski | Offensive Line | Denver Broncos
Top: 6-6Weight: 314 poundsAge: 26 years outdated (Turns 27 in August)Expertise: 4th NFL season2025 stats: Performed in all 17 video games and had 10 begins
Alex Palczewski’s outlook with the Broncos in 2026
Is Alex Palczewski pushing veteran Ben Powers for the beginning left guard job? I could possibly be creating drama the place there isn’t any, however I imagine this could possibly be within the playing cards. After Palczewski signed his extension, there was speak that Ben Powers could possibly be on the commerce block, and even launched. Nonetheless, it was later reported that the Broncos wouldn’t ask Powers to take a pay reduce, wouldn’t be buying and selling or releasing him, and that he’s their beginning left guard.
All of the noise round Powers doubtlessly being moved ended there. Nonetheless, the Broncos would then draft offensive lineman Kage Casey within the 4th spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft and announce that he can be specializing in left guard.
Then we discover out that Powers has not been practising and that Palczewski has been getting the first-team reps at left guard. Head Coach Sean Payton advised reporters that Powers is “doing well” and proper on schedule, praised Palczewski, and stated that they’re actually happy with the depth and expertise in that room.
“Well first: Ben’s doing well. With ‘Palcho’ (T Alex Palczewski), the thing that we saw, and the thing that we’ve seen for a couple years now, is flexibility, his football I.Q., his intelligence. You feel a very experienced player. Ben’s right on schedule to where we thought he’d be at this point. We’re really pleased with the depth and experience in that room.”
Once more, I could possibly be making one thing out of nothing, however I imagine this can be a state of affairs to control transferring ahead. Powers is coming into the ultimate 12 months of his deal, and Palczewski simply signed an extension; he has confirmed he can begin, they drafted a left guard within the 4th spherical, and will avoid wasting cash and cap house in the event that they moved on from Powers.
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 06: Alex Palczewski #63 of the Denver Broncos runs out of the tunnel previous to an NFL soccer recreation towards the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive on October 6, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Picture by Cooper Neill/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
It could possibly be one thing, or it could possibly be nothing.
On the very least, Palcho offers the Broncos a flexible lineman who has confirmed he can maintain his personal at proper sort out and left guard and is probably going their sixth offensive lineman on Sundays. They rewarded him with a contract extension, and he figures to be an important reserve participant, or doubtlessly even a starter for the Broncos this upcoming season.
Having a participant with the flexibility and expertise of Palczewski as a backup is a good factor to have. Offensive line depth isn’t nice league-wide, and having a participant who might begin at left guard and even proper sort out for a workforce proper now as a backup makes the Broncos ’ top-ranked offensive line unit even higher.
On the very least, I imagine he might be their sixth offensive lineman who reviews eligible at occasions and their prime backup at left guard and proper sort out. As I additionally famous, I believe he’ll push for the beginning left guard job and make the Broncos contemplate transferring on from veteran left guard Ben Powers.
With that stated, why not preserve the unit robust and preserve all of the gamers? The Broncos are Tremendous Bowl contenders, and accidents will occur. So, having a gifted participant like Palcho as a reserve prepared and ready when wanted could possibly be one thing the Broncos want to have simply in case.
