Report: Sam Ehlinger turned down multiple opportunities to return to Broncos

The 53-man roster deadline has come and gone, and the Denver Broncos had to make a handful of tough decisions in order to get under the limit. One of those ended up being a temporary parting of ways with third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who put together one of the best preseasons by any quarterback in the NFL. The break didn’t last long, as Ehlinger is back not even 24 hours later.

Sources: #Broncos backup QB Sam Ehlinger turned down two 53-man roster opportunities on other teams (he is not subject to waivers as a vested veteran), to start the season on the Denver’s practice squad.

Ehlinger loves the Broncos’ QB room with Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham + rising… pic.twitter.com/lJjRsWoGj3

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 27, 2025

Ehlinger, 26, went 42-for-57 in the preseason for 415 yards and two touchdowns (one interception). He made great plays in his final outing last weekend against the New Orleans Saints, but the Broncos opted to use that final roster spot elsewhere on the roster. He had the fifth-most passing yards and the sixth-highest passer rating (98.2) league-wide in the preseason.

Since he’s hit the service time threshold that classifies him as a vested veteran, he didn’t go on waivers and instead was on the open market right away. According to multiple reports, the reserve signal caller had multiple offers to join other teams on their active 53-man roster as the No. 3 quarterback, but instead opted to return to Denver on the practice squad.

If anyone questioned the culture that Sean Payton has built in Denver (see Javonte Williams), this move should prove that he has fostered an environment that players want to be a part of.

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On Tuesday, Broncos head coach Sean Payton had great things to say about Ehlinger, a sign that he wanted the fifth-year quarterback to return.

“Sam’s a guy that that we want back,” Payton said.

The Broncos were able to keep only two quarterbacks on the active roster this season because the starting role is solidified with Bo Nix. Last year, they carried third-stringer Zach Wilson on the 53-man squad in case something went south with Bo Nix and they needed some more guys with experience ready to roll. This season, there are obviously much fewer questions surrounding the Broncos quarterback room (barring injury), so Payton and the rest of the brass felt it was necessary to only have two quarterbacks active and ready to roll.