The Denver Broncos have officially set their 2026 offseason schedule — and while the dates themselves are straightforward, the structure behind them tells a bigger story.
Denver’s offseason program will begin May 4, giving the Broncos one of the latest reporting dates in the NFL. Head coach Sean Payton has already outlined the plan: roughly a month of strength, conditioning and classroom work before the team transitions to on-field activity.
That buildup leads into a condensed OTA window, with organized team activities scheduled for June 2–4 and June 8–11. Instead of spreading practices across a longer stretch, the Broncos are compressing their on-field work into two focused weeks.
The offseason program will conclude with mandatory minicamp from June 16–18 before players break ahead of training camp, which is expected to begin in late July.
WHY IT MATTERS
A later reporting date paired with a condensed OTA schedule suggests a more controlled and intentional ramp into the season. After a deep postseason run, the Broncos appear to be prioritizing efficiency, recovery and structure over volume.
Fewer OTA days mean each rep carries more weight. Install periods become tighter. Competition windows shrink. And by the time minicamp arrives, the expectation is that players are already operating at a higher level of execution.
That places even greater importance on the three-day minicamp in mid-June, which effectively becomes the final checkpoint before training camp begins and roster battles take shape.
WHAT COMES NEXT
Following minicamp, players will have a break before returning for training camp in late July. While official reporting dates have not yet been announced, the timeline typically aligns with mid-to-late July for rookies and veterans.
By then, the Broncos are expected to be fully transitioned into their new three-floor headquarters, marking both a physical and symbolic shift for the organization heading into the 2026 season.
KEY DATES
- NFL Draft: April 23–25
- Offseason program begins: May 4
- OTAs: June 2–4, June 8–11
- Mandatory minicamp: June 16–18
