DENVER — Sean Payton likes to line up two tight ends, sometimes three, on any particular play.
He's got one lined up for 2024 after the Broncos reached an agreement to bring back Adam Trautman on a two-year contract, a source told 9NEWS. Trautman had other offers including one serious offer he was close to accepting. But in the end, his pull back to Denver and the people he's worked with throughout his career -- particularly Payton and tight ends coach Declan Doyle - was too strong.
“I always wanted to come back,'' Trautman said from Newport Beach, Calif., a close drive to his six-week workout regiment in Irving. "I made that very known after the season to both George (Paton, the Broncos' general manager) and Sean.
"I knew they had some work to do in the offseason, that was no secret with some of the moves they had to make. I was trying to stay patient. It’s hard not to take some of (early negotiating offers) personally but I’m very happy. I made it clear to my agent Chase (Callahan) that I wanted to be back here. I have my role carved out in this offense. I know the offense in and out better than I would argue anybody.
“I feel super comfortable. I know I’m a leader in that room and that’s a huge thing for me coming back too. I love the tight end coach, I love Declan. I was with him for three years in New Orleans before they traded for me last year. I love all the guys in it. The support staff is awesome. Not to mention the food is amazing there in the cafeteria.”
Let's hear for the cooks and workers in the Broncos' cafeteria!
Trautman has a special player-coach relationship with Payton. It started in 2020 on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. Then the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, Payton traded away his entire back-end of the draft -- fourth-, fifth-, sixth- and seventh-round selections - to move up to the second-to-last spot in the third round to take Trautman out of Dayton.
Trautman, 27, is the ultimate team-first player who is both a solid third-down conversion receiver and solid blocker in the run game on first and second down. When Payton became the Broncos' head coach last year, he again made a trade to acquire Trautman from the Saints.
Trautman had 22 catches for 204 yards and three touchdowns for the Broncos last year and was one of the few players who was able to play in all 17 games. He played 70% of the offensive snaps.
“And honestly, too, they have some moves to make but I want to be on the team that when Denver goes back to the playoffs, I want to be a part of that,'' Trautman said. "Who was leading this room, who was leading that room? I want to be a part of that. I believe this is the right staff to do it. I’ve seen them work, I’ve seen them operate and I do believe in the staff and everyone in the building.
"Obviously, results will speak louder than words. But it’s going in the right direction.”
While Trautman is an effective two-way tight end -- blocker and receiver -- the Broncos are also looking to add a receiver-type tight end who can stretch the middle of the field, either through free agency or the draft.
The Broncos do have a nice developing receiving tight end in Lucas Krull on their roster. Greg Dulcich, a terrific tight end talent when healthy, has been unable to stay healthy through his first two seasons. The Broncos released veteran blocking tight end Chris Manhertz last week so there's little doubt Trautman is now the leader of the tight end room.
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