INDIANAPOLIS – Slot cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian most likely will be back with the Broncos in 2026.

McMillian’s agent, Deryk Gilmore, told The Denver Gazette on Friday at the NFL scouting combine that the Broncos will place a second-round tender worth $5.853 million for 2026 on the restricted free agent. Gilmore said he got that news Thursday from the team ahead of the March 11 deadline to make such a move.

The move means that if another team were to sign McMillian to an offer sheet, the Broncos would get a second-round pick if they chose not to match it within five days. Gilmore doesn’t expect McMillian to get an offer sheet.

“I think it will be very tough for him to get an offer sheet,’’ Gilmore said. “If (another team puts one down), they would have to give up a second-round pick (if Broncos didn’t match) and they’re not going to pay him $5.8 million (in 2026). They’d be having to pay him $16 million, $17 million, $18 million (per season on a new deal).”

McMillian has been with the Broncos since signing as an undrafted free agent out of East Carolina in 2022. With the likelihood McMillian will be back in Denver for a fifth season, Gilmore said he is thrilled.

“Ja’Quan is excited to be in Denver,’’ Gilmore said. “He’s appreciative they took the chance on him and he wants to remain loyal. He loves the fan base in Denver. … I would love to get him some stability. (The deal is) great for us.”

Assuming McMillian does not get an offer sheet or work out a different deal with the Broncos, he would earn $5.853 millon on a one-year deal in 2026. Then, barring an extension being signed, he would become an unrestricted free agent next year.

McMillian made a base salary in 2025 at the minimum of $1.03 million. He has been the Broncos’ primary nickelback the past three seasons, and had a key interception in overtime in their 33-30 overtime win over Buffalo in a divisional playoff game on Jan. 17.

McMillian, before last season, beat out Jahdae Barron, taken with the No. 20 pick in the 2025 draft, to remain the primary nickelback. Barron then saw limited playing time in the season. With McMillian likely to return, it likely means Barron would need to beat out cornerback Riley Moss on the outside to get significant snaps in 2026.

No tender for McLaughlin

The Broncos will not tender restricted free-agent running back Jaleel McLaughlin, meaning he will become an unrestricted free agent March 11, a source said Friday.

The lowest available tender is $3.55 million for a right of first refusal. While the Broncos deemed that too much to pay McLaughlin, a source said they still have interest in re-signing him to a lesser salary.

However, it remains to be seen if McLaughlin would want to return for a fourth Denver season. After he rushed for 410 yards as a rookie in 2023 and 496 in 2024, he was inactive for nine of the first 10 games in 2025. After starting running back J.K. Dobbins was lost for the season in the 10^th game with a foot injury, McLaughlin was active for the final seven games. But he finished with just 187 yards rushing.

Badie likely to be re-signed

A source said Friday that conversations are going on and it is anticipated the Broncos will bring back exclusive rights free-agent running back Tyler Badie on a one-year, $1.075 million deal. Exclusive rights free agents cannot sign with another team unless their team fails to tender them by the March 11 deadline.

Badie has been with the Broncos since 2022, with 2025 marking the first time he was on the active roster throughout a season. Badie, who previously had some stints on the practice squad, played in 16 games and carried eight times for 23 yards and had 19 receptions for 141 yards. A solid blocker, he was mostly used as a third-down back.

Another season for Lewis?

A source said Friday that free-agent tight end Marcedes Lewis, who turns 42 in May, has interest in playing a 21^st NFL season.

Lewis, who was signed midway through last season to the Broncos’ practice squad, and also spent some time on the active roster, played in five games and didn’t have a catch. He got into games due to his blocking ability.

It remains to be seen, though, if Lewis receives any offers. He did not get any last year prior to being signed by Denver Oct. 29.

Salary cap hits $300 million

The NFL on Friday set the 2026 salary cap at $301.2 million, the first time it has reached $300 million.

According to the OverTheCap.com, that leaves the Broncos with $26.2 million of cap room. They have the ability to carve out even more before free agency gets underway March 11.

The Broncos have talked about being in good shape with cap room after they took an $85 million cap hit with the 2024 release of quarterback Russell Wilson. His dead cap money was divided into $53 million in 2024 and $32 million in 2025.