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The Denver Broncos got a solid performance from former undrafted free agent and fill-in starter Alex Palczewski in Week 7, but a trade could still be in order before the deadline. A target like Joel Bitonio of the Cleveland Browns profiles among the pricier potential options, but he is also one of the best. Most importantly, the Browns’ current trajectory could make him available before the deadline passes. Bitonio also has ties to the Broncos’ current roster. Heavy Sports Trade Proposal Sends Joel Bitonio to Broncos The Broncos are looking to bide time until starting left guard Ben Powers returns from a torn biceps, they hope, in December. 9News’ Mike Klis listed Bitonio among other potential options for the Broncos before the trade deadline in an article published on October 21. This Heavy Sports trade proposal is just shy of the fourth-round draft capital the Chicago Bears sent to the Kansas City Chiefs for four-time Super Bowl champ Joe Thuney this past spring. Broncos get: Joel Bitonio Browns get: 2026 fourth-round pick (via DEN or NO) Bitonio is a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro. He has also been durable, logging full regular-season slates in eight of his previous 11 seasons in the NFL. Bitonio is on an expiring three-year, $48 million contract, and he has earned $92.1 million in his career. Klis noted his “steep” salary ($11.9 million cap hit in 2025) could need reworking. The Broncos have $4.7 million in space, per Over The Cap. Browns OG Joel Bitonio Called Potential Fit for Broncos Of the five guards with at least 488 snaps like Bitonio has logged so far this season, he earned the best pass protection, run blocking, and offensive grades from Pro Football Focus. “He’s 34, a 12-year starter, all with Browns,” Klis wrote. “He’d be an ideal one-year rental player. He’s good friends with Broncos’ left tackle Garett Bolles, a relationship built through having the same agency representatives. A player of Bitonio’s stature may well have a say in a possible trade but a chance to play for a likely playoff team could be enticing for a player near the end of his career.” New Orleans Saints guard Trevor Penning is among the other options, along with John Simpson of the New York Jets, Jon Runyan Jr. of the New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals veteran Evan Brown, and former Broncos starter Dalton Risner, now of the Cincinnati Bengals. Risner is considered a long shot for consideration from, let alone a deal with, the Broncos. Broncos Have Options Before Deadline Klis also named Nick Allegretti of the Washington Commanders and Andrew Vorhees of the Baltimore Ravens. All of the options have starting experience. Some are starters for their current teams, which could make them more reluctant to trade. That is where the remaining games before the trade deadline are critical for every team, including the Broncos. Palcewski, meanwhile, played well in his debut as the Broncos’ starting left guard in Week 7.
