Denver, Colorado — The Denver Broncos just made a strong statement, sending a clear message about discipline and commitment inside the locker room.

Head coach Sean Payton confirmed the team has cut two undrafted free agents (UDFAs) who were once highly regarded for their potential. The move is designed to tighten discipline during the preseason preparation period.
The official reason: Both players were completely absent from all voluntary OTAs since Phase 1 began. While the entire team — from stars like Patrick Surtain II, Courtland Sutton, and Bo Nix to other rookies — showed up fully and worked hard to build chemistry, these two chose to go traveling instead.
At today’s press conference, Head Coach Sean Payton spoke bluntly:
“Even though these sessions are voluntary, every player who truly wants to play for the Broncos was here and gave it everything. While the rest of the team was building bonds and preparing for the new season together, they chose to go traveling and didn’t participate at all. That kind of attitude is unacceptable.”
The two players cut are Kristian Williams (Defensive Tackle) and Levelle Bailey (Inside Linebacker) — UDFA rookies who were expected to compete for backup spots and add depth to the Broncos’ defense.

Although offseason activities are not mandatory under NFL rules, Payton and the coaching staff view this period as critical for evaluating not just football ability, but also mindset, discipline, and how well players fit the team’s culture.
Both players are at a crucial stage in their careers. Their complete absence raised serious concerns within the organization about their level of commitment. Internal sources say doubts about their attitude had already surfaced earlier, and missing every single session was the final straw.
The immediate decision to cut them sends a powerful message to the entire roster:
- No one has a guaranteed spot.
- Potential alone is not enough.
- Discipline and showing up are the minimum requirements.
The Denver Broncos are now entering Phase 2 of their preseason preparation program. The coaching staff will continue evaluating roster depth, especially on defense, through internal competition and may look to add more personnel.
Update: As of now, representatives for Kristian Williams and Levelle Bailey have not issued any official comments on the matter.





