Sam

Ehlinger

The Broncos begin their path to the Super Bowl as one of the healthier teams in the league after their Wild Card bye as the No. 1 seed in the AFC, enough so that they appear to have elevated two practice squad members, Elijah Moore and Caleb Lohner, to receive a small roster bonus as thanks for their time on the practice squad this season. The home-favorite Broncos face a difficult challenge against the Josh Allen-led Bills as they aim to avoid the same postseason outcome as in 2024 when the Bills bounced the Broncos in a blowout loss.

Ehlinger was not elevated for Week 18 while still having one standard elevation remaining, but will now head into the postseason a member of the 53-man, game-day roster. It’ll give the Broncos additional maneuverability during what they hope is a long playoff run as the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The veteran backup chose not to sign with the Colts following the injury to Daniel Jones and was reported to have had discussions with the Broncos regarding their plans moving forward. “We’ve talked about some things for the playoffs,” Ehlinger said ahead of Week 18, hinting at the move made official Monday.

Ehlinger will not be active for Week 16 against the Jaguars, but the quarterback will get a nicer paycheck will operating as the emergency signal-caller going forward. The 27-year-old was offered a chance to join the Colts’ active roster after the Daniel Jones’ injury, but he declined and chose to stick with Denver. One can’t help but think this is a reward for his loyalty.

Ehlinger was originally drafted by the Colts and spent four seasons with the team. He told The Denver Post that he and his agent talked to the Colts for two days before turning down the offer and sticking with the Broncos’ practice squad. The Colts were going for familiarity to fill their quarterback role by trying to get Ehlinger while also getting Philip Rivers. Ehlinger chooses to stay with the Broncos, where he is the third quarterback behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham.

Ehlinger has bounced between the active roster and practice squad for the Broncos to start the season. He was briefly released and brought back to the practice squad last week and is now back on the active roster. Ehlinger will continue to sit behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham amidst the Broncos’ roster management ping-ponging his roster status.

Ehlinger was released from the team before being re-signed to the practice squad back in August, and later promoted to the active roster. He is expected to be re-signed to the practice squad again shortly, though he is free to pursue employment elsewhere. The Broncos recently activated LB Dre Greenlaw (quad) from injured reserve. Ehlinger’s release was likely done to create space for him.

A tale as true as time: the third quarterback was released at last cuts and found his way to the practice squad. Joining Ehlinger on the Broncos practice squad are: G Calvin Throckmorton, CB Reese Taylor, LB Jordan Turner, FB Adam Prentice, WR Michael Bandy, WR A.T. Perry, CB Jaden Robinson, S Delarrin Turner-Yell, ILB Garret Wallow, TE Caleb Lohner, OL Joe Michalski, LB Levelle Bailey and CB Quinton Newsome.

The Broncos had signed Ehlinger to a one-year deal in the offseason, but now choose to let him go with Jarrett Stidham the primary backup to Bo Nix. The team also released S Sam Franklin Jr., FB Adam Prentice, G Calvin Throckmorton and LB Garret Wallow.

Ehlinger will compete with Jarrett Stidham for backup duties this offseason. The former sixth-round pick has spent his entire four-year career with the Colts, appearing in eight games while throwing for 573-3-3 in those games. He’s no lock to make the 53-man roster.

Pittman Jr. was already declared out earlier this week due to a back injury so none of these designations are much of a surprise. The Colts will turn to Josh Downs and rookie Adonai Mitchell to carry the passing attack.