Cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian joined the Denver Broncos again in 2022 as an undrafted free agent and shortly made an impression on the teaching employees. Whereas he didn’t make the Broncos’ 53-man roster, he did get signed to their observe squad, the place he would keep till the common season finale, when he was signed to the lively roster and even obtained the beginning.
In 2023, in Sean Payton’s first 12 months with the Broncos, McMillian made the workforce, however was a depth participant who had not earned a shot to start out simply but. Nonetheless, after the Broncos’ notorious 70-point loss to the Miami Dolphins, McMillian was inserted into the beginning lineup and by no means regarded again. Since then, McMillian has turn out to be one of many higher slot corners within the recreation and has made some massive performs throughout that span.
He has had a number of pick-6 touchdowns, just a few game-winners, has picked off Patrick Mahomes just a few instances, and has probably the greatest performs in Denver Broncos postseason historical past. The Denver Broncos have been in extra time vs. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Payments, and McMillian would make a game-saving and eventual game-winning interception to ship the Broncos to the AFC Championship Sport. Sorry, Payments Mafia, that was an interception.
Now, McMillian enters 2026 along with his eyes on a Tremendous Bowl and a giant payday since he’s slated to turn out to be an unrestricted free agent on the finish of the season. He has been a big-time discount for the Broncos, however the time for McMillian to money in nears, and the Broncos must resolve if they’re going to pay him or let him stroll. Each he and fellow beginning cornerback Riley Moss shall be free brokers in 2027, so the Broncos have some robust choices to make.
Ja’Quan McMillian | Cornerback | Denver Broncos
Top: 5-10Weight: 183 poundsAge: 26 years oldExperience: 4th NFL season2025 stats: 56 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 4 QB hits, 2 interceptions, 9 cross deflections, 2 compelled fumbles, and 1 defensive landing
Ja’Quan McMillian’s 2026 outlook with the Denver Broncos
This upcoming season, McMillian would be the Broncos’ beginning slot nook and be a key member of their top-ranked protection. He’ll be part of Pat Surtain II and sure Riley Moss because the Broncos’ beginning corners and can look to create just a few extra massive performs and assist get the Broncos again to the Tremendous Bowl.
His function on the workforce will not be in query. Nonetheless, his future with the workforce is at the moment up within the air. As we all know, he shall be an unrestricted free agent on the finish of the 12 months, identical as Riley Moss, and they’re going to seemingly must resolve which of the 2 they are going to re-sign. In addition they have 2025 first-round decide Jahdae Barron prepared and ready to exchange one in all them as nicely. So, the way forward for all three gamers talked about is up within the air proper now.
A number of weeks again, Head Coach Sean Payton was requested if McMillian is a participant they wish to maintain round long-term. He instructed reporters, “Absolutely!” and added that McMillian has “all the things you look 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.”
In case you are within the camp that hopes McMillian will get re-signed or an extension, you’re loving this quote. Historical past tells us that when Payton speaks fondly of a participant to the media when they’re in a contract 12 months, they get a deal completed. With that stated, he seemingly would have stated one thing related about Riley Moss, so I’m not certain how a lot you’ll be able to learn into this, however it’s noteworthy.
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 17: Ja’Quan McMillian #29 of the Denver Broncos reacts after a play in opposition to the Buffalo Payments throughout extra time of an AFC Divisional Playoff recreation at Empower Area At Mile Excessive on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photograph by Cooper Neill/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
On the finish of the day, McMillian will exit, observe at a excessive stage, play at a excessive stage, and proceed to be a key member of this top-ranked Denver Broncos protection. He has a much-deserved payday coming his method; the query shall be: Will or not it’s from the Denver Broncos, or another person?
I’m a giant J-Mac fan and actually hope the Broncos can discover a technique to maintain him round long-term. Discovering a slot nook isn’t straightforward, and McMillian is among the greatest within the league, so that you gotta discover a technique to get a deal completed.
On the subject of deciding between McMillian and Moss, I’m leaning McMillian. It’s nothing in opposition to Moss, and I believe he’s an excellent participant; I simply assume McMillian is method too worthwhile to let go. How Jahdae Barron seems throughout coaching camp and shifting ahead might make this resolution simpler a method or one other, however proper now, in July of 2026, that’s how I’m leaning. If there’s a state of affairs the place the Broncos can maintain each, I’m down for that too (They must signal Bo, which complicates issues).
Within the short-term, the Broncos have a high slot nook returning to their secondary who has a knack for large performs. They’ll want him to play at a high-level and make just a few extra of those massive performs this upcoming season as they give the impression of being to have a Tremendous Bowl run and produce the Lombardi Trophy again to the Mile Excessive Metropolis.
