Broncos Cut Rising Second-Year Player for Missing Every Offseason Program Session: “He Chose to Travel While the Entire Team Was Training”

Posted May 16, 2026

Denver, Colorado – The Denver Broncos have made a decisive and pointed move. Head Coach Sean Payton confirmed the team has released a second-year tight end — a player selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft who was once viewed as a potential depth piece in the tight end room.

The official reason: the player has not participated in a single workout with the team since Phase 1 began. While teammates — from the team’s biggest stars to the longest-tenured veterans — have attended every session, he chose instead to spend the time traveling.

At today’s press conference, Payton did not hold back: “Although the workouts are voluntary, none of our veteran players or No. 1 stars have missed a single session. While the entire team has been working hard to build our system and chemistry, he chose to go on vacation and hasn’t shown up for any workouts at all. His performance last season wasn’t good, and honestly he was already on our cut-candidate list. More importantly, his actions show he isn’t demonstrating any desire to improve or fight for a spot on this year’s roster. This isn’t just about physical training. This is about whether you truly want to be a Denver Bronco or not.”

The player referenced by Payton is second-year tight end Caleb Lohner — the Broncos’ seventh-round pick (No. 238 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Payton stressed that even though the Offseason Program is technically “voluntary,” it remains a critical period for the coaching staff to evaluate players’ attitude and commitment.

Caleb Lohner, who saw limited action as a rookie in 2025 primarily on special teams and as a blocking tight end, has now officially been placed on the cut list due to his complete absence from the program.

The decision sends a clear message from Sean Payton and the Broncos’ coaching staff: whether you’re a rookie or a second-year player with upside, no one is guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster if they fail to show professionalism and hunger.

The Broncos remain in Phase 2 of the Offseason Program. The team will move into OTAs and the mandatory minicamp next week. Tight end depth is now expected to be a priority for veteran signings or further additions in the coming weeks.

Update: A representative for Caleb Lohner has not yet issued a comment on the matter.

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Kansas City Chiefs Owner Clark Hunt Speaks Out, Sends a Seven-Word Message to Warren Buffett After the Billionaire “Monopolizes” Season Opener Tickets in Denver
Ahead of the highly anticipated season opener between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs, an off-field controversy has suddenly intensified tensions across the NFL community. Billionaire investor Warren Buffett, a longtime supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs, reportedly purchased all remaining available tickets for Denver’s regular season opener at Empower Field at Mile High earlier this week. The shocking move immediately sparked heated reactions throughout NFL media because Broncos supporters were suddenly left with virtually no realistic path toward attending the highly anticipated divisional matchup. For Denver, the situation effectively guarantees one of the loudest and most hostile road environments imaginable before the regular season has even officially started. That moment eventually pushed Chiefs owner Clark Hunt to publicly address the situation after remaining silent while debate surrounding Buffett’s actions intensified across football media. Rather than escalating tensions aggressively, Hunt reportedly responded with a calm but sharply calculated seven-word message directed toward Buffett and the Chiefs fanbase. “Enjoy the seats. We’ll earn everything else.” That short statement immediately spread throughout NFL circles and quickly became a rallying message inside portions of the Chiefs organization entering the emotional season opener. To many observers, Hunt’s response reflected confidence rather than frustration, suggesting Kansas City still believes games are ultimately decided during sixty minutes played on the football field. However, Buffett later released a public statement carrying unmistakable psychological undertones while further intensifying a rivalry already overflowing with tension entering opening weekend. “I didn’t buy those seats to show power, but to protect our team and the fans who’ve believed in the Chiefs from day one. And if anyone thinks seven words can shake this city, then they’ve underestimated Kansas City football completely.” That emotional response reportedly energized Chiefs supporters even further while strengthening the sense of unity already surrounding the team entering the beginning of the 2026 NFL season. Inside the Broncos organization, coaches and players reportedly made it clear there would be no complaints or excuses despite the overwhelming crowd disadvantage awaiting them in their own stadium. Several Broncos veterans reportedly described the atmosphere as “the perfect early season test” for a team hoping to prove itself among legitimate AFC championship contenders. Meanwhile, Chiefs fans largely praised Buffett’s actions and viewed the billionaire’s decision as a passionate attempt at protecting Kansas City’s dominance and home-field advantage in a crucial divisional matchup. As opening kickoff approaches, the attention surrounding this matchup now stretches far beyond football itself and into a growing battle involving pride, loyalty, and psychological warfare. Long before the football is officially snapped, the confrontation has already begun between two owners, two fanbases, and two organizations determined to establish dominance entering the new NFL season.

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