Head Coach Sean Payton Weighs Releasing $52 Million Starter Amid Attitude Concerns to Create Cap Flexibility

DENVER, Colorado – 03/02/2026. As the Denver Broncos enter a critical roster-building offseason, difficult decisions are beginning to surface. This time, the spotlight turns to a $52 million starter who has anchored the lineup for the past three seasons.

Sources close to the situation indicate that head coach Sean Payton is seriously evaluating whether to move on from the veteran offensive lineman. The issue reportedly goes beyond on-field performance. While his play has been steady, concerns about professionalism and attitude in recent months have raised internal questions.

Denver is not facing a cap crisis, but the franchise understands that financial flexibility can open doors in free agency and trade discussions. By designating a post–June 1 release, the Broncos could free up more than $12 million in cap space — a significant figure that could help address other roster needs.

Speaking carefully but firmly, Payton recently addressed the situation without naming the player directly. “We appreciate what he’s done for us over the last three years. But in this building, the standard goes beyond performance on Sundays. It’s about professionalism, accountability, and culture every single day. If someone isn’t meeting that, we have to make decisions that protect the team first.”

Midway through internal evaluations, the player in question has emerged as Ben Powers, the left guard who signed a four-year, $52 million deal in 2023. Powers has been a consistent starter for Denver, contributing to an offensive line unit that ranked among the league’s top ten in both Run Block Win Rate and Pass Block Win Rate last season.

However, his recent torn biceps sidelined him for part of the year, and reports suggest tension between his approach and the evolving expectations under Payton’s leadership. For a team attempting to reestablish a championship culture, alignment off the field can matter as much as execution on it.

If the Broncos ultimately part ways with Powers, they would need to explore internal options or pursue reinforcements on the open market. The move would not simply be about saving money — it would send a clear message about standards inside the organization.

In the NFL, contracts do not guarantee security. Commitment, accountability, and culture often weigh just as heavily. And in Denver, it appears those principles are now being enforced at every level of the roster.