Scheduled to hit the free agent market in 2027, Broncos nickel cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian is in prime position to money in sometime in the subsequent 12 months. He stands out as a transparent extension candidate, but per Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports, the Broncos and McMillian’s reps had not begun energetic talks as of June. Considering head coach Sean Payton‘s affinity for McMillian, that seems more likely to change.
On whether he wants McMillian in Denver for the long haul, Payton said in June (via Stevens): “Absolutely. The ball finds him. We keep talking about taking it away. We even forget Buffalo on the road, Monday night [in] ’23. The primary series of the sport, ball’s out and he’s causing a fumble. He’s just around all of it. That’s not only luck—that’s the skill set.”
McMillian, who went undrafted out of East Carolina in 2022, has indeed emerged as a big-time playmaker in Denver. He only played one game as a rookie, but dating to 2023, he has recorded seven sacks, intercepted six passes and compelled five fumbles in 50 contests. McMillian missed only one game in that three-season span.
The signature moment of McMillian’s first 4 years within the league got here against Buffalo within the divisional round last January. With the teams tied at 30 in time beyond regulation, McMillian outfought Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks and turned what would have been a 43-yard catch into an interception. Had Cooks come down with it, the Bills would have been in position to establish for the game-winning field goal. As an alternative, the Broncos took possession, drove for the winning kick and clinched a spot within the AFC title game.
“Best interception I’ve ever seen,” Payton told McMillian afterward (via Seth Wickersham of ESPN). “I’m gonna be in a nursing home eating applesauce someday. I’m gonna forget your name, but I’m gonna do not forget that play.”
McMillian’s playoff pick was probably the most notable contribution in what was a wonderful season from start to complete for the 5-foot-10, 183-pounder. While playing a full 17-game campaign and 742 defensive snaps (668 from the slot), he tallied 56 tackles, nine pass deflections, 4 sacks, two INTs and a pair of forced fumbles. As the closest defender, he held opposing quarterbacks to a 59.5% completion rate and a 74.2 passer rating on 79 targets. The 26-year-old’s performance was truly elite, in line with Pro Football Focus, which gave McMillian its fourth-highest grade amongst 112 qualifying corners.
Going forward, the Broncos have superstar No. 1 CB Patrick Surtain under contract through 2029. Like McMillian, though, starter Riley Moss is a 12 months from free agency. It seems likely the Broncos could have to decide on one or the opposite, Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post observes. Moss recently admitted he just isn’t anticipating an extension, which suggests the Broncos will prioritize McMillian.
While Moss has began in all 31 appearances since 2024, Denver may find a way to get away with letting him walk and plugging Jahdae Barron into his spot. The Broncos drafted Barron twentieth overall a 12 months ago, but with Surtain, Moss and McMillian atop the depth chart, he played just below 30% of defensive snaps as a rookie. Barron showed inside-outside versatility during his college profession at Texas and continued doing so in his first 12 months with the Broncos. After he lost out to McMillian for the important nickel role last summer, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph moved Barron around, deploying him on 153 snaps from the slot, 99 within the box and 93 on the skin.
McMillian is further entrenched within the slot going into this season, but Barron will compete with Moss for the fitting to start out opposite Surtain. Even when Moss keeps the job this 12 months, there may be a great probability he’ll exit Denver in 2027 if the team extends McMillian.