Broncos Bring Back Versatile Safety for Playoffs After Chiefs Cut Ties

The Denver Broncos didn’t waste time swooping up a figure from their recent past once his services came on the open market, signing versatile safety Tanner McAlister after he wasn’t re-signed by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Denver Broncos safety Tanner McAlister.

“Broncos sign Tanner McCalister to practice squad,” NFL reporter Aaron Wilson wrote on X on Tuesday, January 6. 

McAllister spent the 2024 season with the Broncos, when he played in 3 regular season games. According to Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports, the Chiefs moved quickly to cut ties with McAllister after the season hoping he could find another team right away.

“On the flip side, there’s Tanner McCallister, who saw his practice squad contract terminated,” Goldman wrote. “That’s likely a sign that he doesn’t have a future in Kansas City, but also a sign of respect, letting him out of his contract and giving him a chance to catch on with another club as soon as possible.”

For McAllister, it could mean big money, comparatively.

The Broncos are the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs and have a first round playoff bye — at the very least McAllister could get another month or so of paychecks if they go to the Super Bowl and, if he gets put on the roster, could be eligible for a lucrative playoff bonus.

Undrafted Out of Big Ten Powerhouse

McAlister, 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds, started his college career at Oklahoma State but transferred to Ohio State for his final season, when he had 3 interceptions in 2022 but went undrafted despite running the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds and registered a 37-inch vertical leap.

From NFL Draft Buzz: “In the run game, he’s aggressive coming downhill and a sure tackler. He’s physical at the line of scrimmage, showing unexpected power in his hands… Strong hands to make plays on the ball, effective blitzer who shows well-coached technique and awareness.”

He made the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent, played for the Broncos in 2024 and split 2025 between the New York Jets and Chiefs.

Broncos Have Battled Injuries in Secondary

The Broncos have had their biggest injury issues this season in the secondary, where cornerback and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II missed 3 games with a pectoral muscle injury and up-and-coming star safety Brandon Jones was placed on injury after he hurt his pectoral muscle in Week 15.

The Broncos signed Jones to a 3-year, $20 million free agent contract in March 2024 and he’s been an absolute steal ever since, starting 30 out of a possible 34 games with 198 tackles, 17 pass deflections and 4 interceptions over the last 2 seasons.

Jones spent the first 4 seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins.

“Jones not only proved the Broncos right in signing him, but he also exceeded expectations by finishing as one of the five highest-graded safeties overall (84.8) and in coverage (89.8) in 2024,” PFF’s Jonathan Macri wrote on May 14. “He played a career-high 1,042 defensive snaps — almost double his previous career high — and looked more comfortable than he ever has in Vance Joseph’s defense, putting him in the conversation as one of the league’s best heading into 2025.”