P.J. Locke, the third-longest tenured player on the Denver Broncos roster, emerged as a crucial contributor late in the 2025 NFL season, though his future with the team is uncertain. The 29-year-old safety, currently under a two-year, $7 million contract, has spent seven seasons with the Broncos, including one on the practice squad, and is evaluating his options amid a crowded safety landscape.
Locke has started 29 games including postseason appearances in the past three seasons. He ranks second on Denver’s defense for forced fumbles since 2022 with a total of five, closely trailing linebacker Nik Bonitto. Notably, during the 2025 postseason, quarterbacks targeting Locke’s coverage recorded a passer rating of just 35.0 on 18 throws, marking the best coverage stats of his career according to SportRadar.
Reasons the Broncos May Want to Retain Locke
Locke’s recent lumbar spinal-fusion surgery last offseason might deter some teams, but the Broncos have confidence in his health after witnessing his complete return to form during the 2025 season. He stepped in effectively when starting safety Brandon Jones suffered injuries late in the year, providing consistent and reliable play.
As Denver aims to contend for a championship, the importance of experienced backups becomes evident. Keeping a player like Locke, with substantial starting experience, ensures depth and insurance across the defensive backfield. If the Broncos can re-sign him under manageable salary cap terms, retaining Locke would align with their defensive strategy.
Factors That Could Lead Locke to Explore Other Opportunities
Locke’s desire for a guaranteed starting role might push him to test the free agent market. While Brandon Jones struggled through injuries in the 2024 season, Locke showed that he was capable of starting at the highest level when he filled in. However, with Jones and Talanoa Hufanga firmly entrenched as the Broncos’ starters, Locke’s chances to claim a primary role in Denver appear limited.
The Broncos are also examining new talent, having interviewed Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a safety prospect from Toledo, at the recent Scouting Combine. This influx of draft prospects could further complicate Locke’s path to a starting position on the Broncos roster.
What Lies Ahead for Locke and Denver’s Safety Group
This situation may take some time to resolve as Locke considers his options and the market response. If he does not find a clear starting opportunity elsewhere, it is plausible that he will return to Denver for an eighth season, though likely on a lower salary than his current deal. Locke’s previous contract was signed following his emergence as a starter in late 2023, a period marked by team salary cap difficulties resulting from Russell Wilson’s dead money.
Today’s Broncos roster features Brandon Jones and Talanoa Hufanga as starters, limiting openings for Locke. Should another team offer him a top-line safety role that Denver cannot match financially or opportunity-wise, Locke is expected to pursue that option, potentially ending his long tenure in Denver.
