ENGLEWOOD — Linebacker Alex Singleton knows very well the Broncos will get some salary-cap relief for 2026.

For the past two seasons, the Broncos had an $85 million dead cap hit on quarterback Russell Wilson, with $53 million in 2024 and $32 million in 2025. But that money is coming off the cap as Singleton will be an unrestricted free agent in March.

“To be the richest player ever,’’ Singleton joked Monday about his expectations on returning to Denver. “We have a lot of free Russell money. I’ll take $35 million a year and we’ll figure it out from there.”

Turning serious, Singleton, 32, truly wants to return to the Broncos after spending the past four seasons with them. He made a base salary of $5.49 million in 2025.

“I want to be back here, obviously,’’ said Singleton, speaking at Broncos Park a day after Denver’s 10-7 loss to New England in the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field. “We’ll figure that out. That’s why I pay an agent and that’s why they pay George (Paton, the general manager).”

While cleaning out their lockers Monday, there was plenty of disappointment from players. Singleton, for instance, had expected the Broncos would win Sunday and advance to Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif.

“I won’t lie,’’ he said. “My family is from California. We had an Airbnb booked. I had everything ready to go in Santa Clara. It sucks when you look at the guys (after the loss). … We knew we were the better team.”

Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers also expressed disappointment, saying “it’s tough” and that “it’s sad to see these guys” a day after the loss. But Franklin-Myers, like Singleton, knows the time is coming when his future must be addressed.

Singleton and Franklin-Myers are among 11 Denver unrestricted free agents, the others being running back J.K. Dobbins, tight end Adam Trautman, safety P.J. Locke, linebacker Justin Strnad, wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, quarterback Sam Ehlinger, center Sam Mustipher and fullbacks Adam Prentice and Michael Burton. The Broncos also have six restricted free agents in cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, offensive lineman Alex Palczewski, running back Jaleel McLaughlin, tight ends Nate Adkins and Lucas Krull and defensive lineman Matt Henningsen.

The Denver Gazette has reported the Broncos never have offered Franklin-Myers a contract extension, and he said Monday that has remained the case. He reiterated he would like to re-sign with them in March, but that he doesn’t know what the future might hold.

“This is my first time going through (free agency),’’ he said. “I love this team and I love the Broncos, and we’ll see how it goes. … I’m with the Broncos right now and I’m excited to be here. I’m excited for the future of this team and I know that they’re going to win the Super Bowl. It’s a matter of when, and I want to be part of that but free agency gives me the opportunity to see what else is out there.”

The Broncos since the start of the 2025 season handed out extensions to defensive linemen Malcolm Roach and Zach Allen and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto. Franklin-Myers reiterated he was “so happy for those dudes” but said his contract “may be a little different” than their extensions.

Franklin-Myers, 29, is an older player and is not a Pro Bowl selection like Allen, 28, and Bonitto, 26. And he doesn’t have the same upside as Roach, 26.

“I’ve been saying since the start of the season, ‘Just get ‘JFM’ his money,’’’ Roach said about Franklin-Myers, who signed a new two-year, $15 million contract when traded by the New York Jets to Denver in April 2024. “We want him back. Pay him what he wants. Pay him what he’s owed. He deserves it.”

Among other unrestricted free agents, Dobbins reiterated Monday he wants to re-sign with the team and be a “Bronco for life.” Ehlinger said he has interest in re-signing but will “see what the opportunities look like” in March. Locke and Strnad both told The Denver Gazette of a desire to return.

“I obviously want to be back here,’’ Locke said. “I would love to retire here.”

Locke, who has been with the Broncos since 2019 and was a starter in 2024, made a base salary of $3.49 million in 2025 while primarily being a reserve. He indicated a willingness to take a pay cut to return.

Strnad in 2025 made $2.62 million on a one-year deal and figures to be in line for a raise after looking good as a fill-in starter for the second straight year. He took over in 2024 when Singleton missed the final 14 games with a torn ACL and in 2025 he filled in when Singleton missed one game due to and Dre Greenlaw sat out eight with injuries and one due to a suspension.

“I would love to be here, but I know how the business works, and it’s a business on both sides,’’ said Strnad, who finished his sixth year with Denver.

Strnad said he is seeking a multi-year deal and he wants to be a regular starter after a season in which Singleton and Greenlaw had a lock on starting jobs. But Singleton now is a free agent and what happens with him could impact Strnad’s status.