BREAKING NEWS: Denver Broncos Sign Safety Devon Key to One-Year ERFA Tender, Cementing Depth and Potential in Secondary for 2025 Season
By [Your Name] | April 21, 2025
In the continued effort to solidify their defensive depth and reward developing talent, the Denver Broncos have officially signed safety Devon Key to a one-year Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA) tender, the team announced Friday via the NFL’s official transaction wire. This move reflects the organization’s commitment to cultivating its roster from within, as Key transitions from a practice squad hopeful to a valuable rotational contributor in the Broncos’ secondary.
This signing, while relatively low-profile compared to blockbuster trades or free agency acquisitions, speaks volumes about the Broncos’ current roster-building philosophy — find talent, develop it patiently, and retain it affordably.
Who is Devon Key?
Devon Key, a 6-foot, 208-pound defensive back out of Western Kentucky, first entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021. While he did not make a splash with Kansas City or during a brief stint with the Atlanta Falcons, his perseverance paid off when he joined the Broncos’ practice squad in 2022.
From there, Key gradually worked his way into the coaching staff’s plans, earning praise for his work ethic, versatility, and improving instincts on the field. After spending most of 2023 continuing to develop behind the scenes, Key broke through in 2024, appearing in all 17 games and even starting two contests due to injuries in the secondary.
Performance in 2024: Quiet Impact, Growing Role
While not a household name, Key’s 2024 campaign was quietly impressive, especially for a player who began the season considered more of a special teams contributor than a defensive asset.
- Games Played: 17
- Starts: 2
- Total Tackles: 33
- Sacks: 1
- Special Teams Snaps: Over 250
- Defensive Snaps: Over 300
In his two starts, Key displayed a solid command of the safety position, showcasing the ability to play both deep and in the box. His lone sack came in Week 12 against the Chargers, where he blitzed from the strong safety position, timing the snap perfectly to bring down Justin Herbert behind the line of scrimmage.
Key also proved dependable in coverage situations, limiting tight ends and slot receivers in short-yardage matchups. While he’s not yet considered a playmaker in the mold of an Ed Reed or Minkah Fitzpatrick, he excels in situational defense and provides important depth behind starters Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns.
The ERFA Tender: What It Means
As an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, Devon Key had very limited leverage in negotiations. ERFAs are players with fewer than three accrued NFL seasons and expiring contracts. When a team tenders such a player, he is not allowed to negotiate with other franchises — effectively making the tender a take-it-or-leave-it offer.
Key accepted the Broncos’ offer, which will pay him $960,000 for the 2025 season, a figure set by the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.
This deal not only keeps a promising defender on the roster but does so in a cap-friendly manner, which is critical as the Broncos continue to restructure their finances and build around their young talent, including quarterback Bo Nix and new offensive lineman Ryan Kelly.
Broncos’ Offseason Focus: Retention and Smart Spending
Key’s signing is part of a larger pattern this offseason for the Denver Broncos. Rather than making splashy, high-risk free agent signings, General Manager George Paton and Head Coach Sean Payton have leaned into the continuity model — emphasizing the retention of young, ascending talent.
Alongside Key, the Broncos also issued ERFA tenders to:
- CB Ja’Quan McMillian – A surprise standout last season who could compete for the starting nickelback role.
- OLB Dondrea Tillman – A pass-rushing specialist with upside.
- TE Lucas Krull – Flashed potential in limited action, particularly in red-zone sets.
- DL Jordan Jackson – A rotational interior lineman expected to add depth behind the starters.
Tillman and Krull are already confirmed to have signed, and McMillian and Jackson are expected to follow suit before the start of the offseason training program on April 21.
What’s Next for Key?
With his contract now secured, Devon Key enters the 2025 offseason as a key rotational piece in the Broncos’ secondary and a potential challenger for increased playing time. His ability to contribute across multiple phases — base defense, dime packages, and special teams — makes him a valuable Swiss Army knife in Denver’s defensive scheme.
Under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, the Broncos have utilized three-safety sets in the past, particularly against pass-heavy offenses in the AFC West. Key’s versatility could see him deployed in such scenarios, especially when matching up against teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers, both of whom boast prolific passing attacks.
Furthermore, Key’s presence allows the team to better manage the workloads of veterans like Simmons, who has logged heavy snap counts in recent years.
Locker Room Reaction: Quiet Confidence
While the signing didn’t generate national headlines, several Broncos teammates expressed excitement about Key’s return.
“Devon’s one of those guys who just works,” said safety Justin Simmons. “He’s dependable. He’s smart. He’s earned every opportunity he’s gotten, and I’m excited to see what he does this year.”
“Dude’s a baller,” added linebacker Josey Jewell. “Not flashy, but he hits, he listens, and he gets the job done. You need guys like that if you want to go deep in the playoffs.”
Final Thoughts: Small Move, Big Implications
The Broncos’ decision to retain Devon Key may seem like a routine offseason transaction, but in the context of long-term roster building, it’s significant. Key represents the kind of developmental success story every franchise hopes for when signing UDFAs — a player who doesn’t just make the practice squad, but grows into a trusted, game-ready contributor.
As Denver continues to recalibrate after several years of instability, players like Key — cost-effective, coachable, and improving — are essential. With the 2025 season shaping up to be a pivotal one for the franchise, this move gives them depth, flexibility, and a little more certainty in an otherwise volatile AFC West.
And who knows? With another offseason of development and a few more “next man up” opportunities, Devon Key might go from rotational safety to a full-time starter.
