No deals were done by the Broncos on Day 2 of free agency. But there was another departure.

Free-agent safety P.J. Locke, after being unable to reach a deal to return to Denver, is heading back to his home state. The Beaumont, Texas, native who played at Texas and first joined the Broncos in 2019, agreed Tuesday to sign a one-year, $5 million contract with Dallas.

Locke was a starter in 2024 and a reserve in 2025 until starting Denver’s final six regular-season and playoff games. He became the third departure from the Broncos’ vaunted defense this week, following defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, who agreed Monday to a three-year, $63 million deal with Tennessee, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who was told Monday he will be released.

Monday was the first day of the free-agent negotiating period. The new league year starts at 2 p.m. Wednesday, when Locke and Franklin-Myers officially can sign their new deals.

While the Broncos have yet to agree to a reported contract with any outside free agents, they did Sunday and Monday reach deals to re-sign six of their free agents. After the Broncos officially announced the re-signing Monday of tight end Adam Trautman, they officially on Tuesday locked up linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, running back J.K. Dobbins and tight end Nate Adkins. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who agreed to return Sunday, is expected to officially sign soon.

After informing Greenlaw of his impending release due to the retention of both Singleton and Strnad, the Broncos won’t make that move until Wednesday’s start of the new league year. That’s because, according to a source, they will designate Greenlaw as a post-June 1 cut.

That will give the Broncos $8.19 million of additional cap room in 2026 rather than the $6.023 million had Greenlaw not been designated as a June 1 cut. The $2.164 million difference, though, will count against Denver in 2027 as additional dead money.

Locke wrote on social media Tuesday that “things didn’t work out business-wise” with the Broncos. In an interview with The Denver Gazette after last season, he had talked about wanting to re-sign with Denver.

“I obviously want to be back here,’’ Locke said in late January. “I would love to retire here.”

Locke said then he would even consider taking a pay cut to return to the Broncos. Instead, Locke, who last season made a base salary of $3.49 million to finish out a two-year, $7 million contract, actually will be getting a raise with his new team.

Locke also looks to have a good chance to get increased playing time with the Cowboys. After being a starter in 2024, he went to the bench last season after the Broncos signed free agent Talanoa Hufanga. After Brandon Jones was lost for the season with a shoulder injury, Locke did start those final six Denver games.

“For the past seven years, you guys have made Denver feel like home for my family and I,” Locke wrote on social media. “Things didn’t work out business-wise, but just know you guys hold a very, very special place in my heart that I can’t put into words. From the coaches, front office, friends, teammates and all the other relationships that were built. It’s hard moving on from that for sure, trust me. We love you guys and wish the best of luck to everyone.”

The undrafted Locke originally joined the Broncos on the practice squad in 2019 and got into his first game in 2020. He initially played primarily on special teams and didn’t make his first NFL start until 2023. He had eight starts that season when former safety Kareem Jackson was bogged down by NFL suspensions, and 15 starts in 2024.

Locke had spinal fusion surgery after the 2024 season, which he has said jeopardized his chances of playing again in the NFL. But he returned to full strength for training camp last summer.

Locke played primarily on special teams in the first 13 games last year. But he had some good moments in the six total games he started, including having nine tackles and an interception in a 33-30 overtime win over Buffalo in a divisional playoff.

The Broncos might look for some more depth at safety in free agency. In addition to Hufanga, named second-team All-Pro in 2025, and Jones, safeties they have on the roster are Devon Key and JL Skinner.

The Broncos also could look to take a safety in the April 23-25 draft. Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a candidate to be selected with their No. 30 pick in the first round. He had a formal interview with Denver at last month’s scouting combine.

“It went well,’’ he said at the combine about the meeting. “It went great. I love the Broncos. I love their coaching staff.”

The departures of Franklin-Myers and Greenlaw will result in the Broncos also looking at defensive linemen and linebackers in free agency and the draft.

As for the remainder of free agency, sources said the Broncos are well aware they need to make some additions on offense. At least they haven’t lost any notable offensive players since the end of the season.