Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian is heading for restricted free agency after putting together his third straight two-interception season in 2025. The Broncos applied the second-round tender to McMillian on Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. The 25-year-old is now in line to earn around $5.81MM in 2026.
It is unlikely a team would trade a second-rounder for McMillian, who is only a year away from unrestricted free agency. As such, Denver’s decision to issue McMillian a high-level tender should secure his place in its defense for at least another season. As the Broncos’ top slot corner, McMillian holds down a key spot alongside outside starters Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss.
McMillian’s agent told the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson he does not expect the slot corner to receive an offer sheet. While that is to be expected, hence the tender, he mentioned the $16-$18MM-per-year range as reasonable for his client. That would smash the slot CB record — currently held by the Bears’ Kyler Gordon (at $13.33MM AAV). That will be a tough ask for a Broncos team already rostering Surtain at $24MM per year and having six front-seven players signed to veteran contracts.
McMillian’s stock has risen significantly since he joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2022. The former East Carolina Pirate played just one game as a rookie, but he has been on the field for 50 of 51 since then. McMillian has taken on a prominent role since 2023, having finished top three among Broncos cornerbacks in snap share for three years in a row.
As part of an elite defense last season, McMillian played 742 snaps (66.01%). Along with his two INTs, he notched 56 tackles, nine passes defensed, five TFL and a career-high four sacks. Pro Football Focus ranked his performance a superb fourth among 112 qualifying corners.
While McMillian excelled in the regular season, his most memorable play occurred in a divisional-round win over the Bills. With the teams in an overtime battle, McMillian wrestled away what would have been a 43-yard catch for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and turned it into a pick. Had Cooks come down with it, the Bills would have gone on to attempt a game-winning field goal during the ensuing moments. Instead, with McMillian’s help, the Broncos took possession and marched to a 33-30 victory.