Following the 2026 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos announced jersey numbers for their draft class. More numbers are still to be announced, and those selections could arrive ahead of organized team activities (OTAs) in June.
Players won’t be allowed to choose from six numbers — three numbers are officially retired, and three others are rarely (if ever) given to a new player.
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The Broncos retired No. 7 for legendary quarterback John Elway, and No. 44 was retired for Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little. Denver also retired No. 18 for Frank Tripucka, the first QB in franchise history, but he gave Peyton Manning permission to wear the number from 2012-2015.
Three numbers are also held back by the team’s equipment staff — Champ Bailey’s No. 24, Von Miller’s No. 58 and the late Demarius Thomas’ No. 88. Bailey gave Adam Jones his blessing to wear No. 24 in 2018, but it hasn’t been worn by any other player besides Jones since Bailey’s retirement.
Former tight end Nick Vannett wore No. 88 in 2020, but no other players have worn that number in Denver following Thomas’ death in 2021. The Broncos also have not given out No. 58 since Miller was traded in 2021. Miller wore that number in Denver from 2011-’21.
Clearly, these six numbers have special meaning in Broncos Country.
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7: Officially retired (John Elway)
(Photo By USA TODAY Sports)
18: Officially retired (Frank Tripucka, nod to Peyton Manning)
Jan 1, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; General view of Denver Broncos retired jersey banners of quarterback John Elway (7) and running back Floyd Little (44) and quarterback Frank Tripucka (18) and quarterback Peyton Manning (18) in the first half of the game between the Oakland Raiders against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
24: Not made available (Champ Bailey)
(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
44: Officially retired (Floyd Little)
(Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports)
58: Not made available (Von Miller)
(Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: 3 retired jersey numbers (and 3 unofficially retired)
