Ahead of the NFL roster cut deadline on Sunday, the Denver Broncos made a difficult decision and parted ways with fifth-round rookie tight end Justin Joly from their roster.
Joly played college football at North Carolina State and had been fighting to earn a roster spot and make a good impression on Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t good enough to make the Denver roster at this time.
Comments Flow in About Broncos Move on TE Justin Joly
Mike Klis of Denver’s 9NEWS posted an initial piece on Denver’s decision.
“A surprise: Per multiple sources, Broncos have waived 5th-round rookie TE Justin Joly,” Klis wrote. “He did struggle adjusting to NFL in training camp and clearly he could use a redshirt year. But his talent was obvious on 88-yard catch-and-run TD Friday vs. Vikings. See if he clears waivers.”
A surprise: Per multiple sources, #Broncos have waived 5th-round rookie TE Justin Joly. He did struggle adjusting to NFL in training camp and clearly he could use a redshirt year.
But his talent was obvious on 88-yard catch-and-run TD Friday vs. Vikings. See if he clears…— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) August 30, 2026
One fan had some words to share about Joly’s talent after Klis’ comments. The fan wrote, “Obvious? He was wide open on a bust coverage.”
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PFN’s NFL draft analyst Ian Cummings shared these thoughts about the Broncos’ decision to waive Joly: “Justin Joly was taken around where I had him graded — early Day 3 — but unfortunately, his main struggles from college may have contributed to his subpar camp and eventual release.”
“While he’s a decent athlete, RAC threat, and catch-point operator, he’s not the most fluid or nuanced route runner, he can be prone to focus drops, and is an undersized and underdeveloped blocker,” Cummings noted, highlighting some struggles in Joly’s play.
“I had his teammate and fellow rookie Dallen Bentley graded higher than him, even though Bentley was taken two rounds later,” Kennedy continued. “With any luck, someone will keep Joly on a practice squad, as upside is there, but it appears more distant than was first assumed.”
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As far as fan reaction, this Denver fan posted, “That is ridiculous! I really don’t get what the Broncos are doing at the TE position! Rookie didn’t even have a chance.”
That is ridiculous ! I really don’t get what the broncos are doing at the te position ! Rookie didn’t even have a chance
— Thiago Portugal (@TGTPORTUGAL) August 30, 2026
Another fan posted the following online: “In other news this is somewhat of a shock as well… very talented young player. Head scratcher here.”
Zack Kelberman, who is senior editor of Mile High Huddle, posted on X: “The #Broncos gotta have an outside TE move coming, because this depth chart was weak enough already. Brutal.”
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Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT, injury analyst for Fantasy Points, was already dreaming about what the young man did in the NFL preseason for the Broncos. His account posted, “Justin Joly stans will always have this memory,” while sharing the video of the tight end’s touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason.
Justin Joly stans will always have this memory pic.twitter.com/AnTjezvzuw https://t.co/SXyoME1WA2
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) August 30, 2026
Another fan railed over the Broncos and wasn’t happy with their decision, writing, “What a waste of a 5th round pick then.”
One Denver fan shared their views on the Broncos’ decision to move on from Joly: “That was a bad choice.”
That was a bad choice.
— Synapti3Reality (@Synapti3Reality) August 30, 2026
This fan wrote about Joly moving along and offered a two-word thought: “Very surprising.”
Mile High Report reacted to the news and wrote, “That’s a shocker. Figured he would stick on the 53. …is Taysom Hill coming?”
Thats a shocker. Figured he would stick on the 53.
…is Taysom Hill coming? https://t.co/yK6wK1idFJ
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 30, 2026
In his final season with North Carolina State before getting drafted, Joly had 49 receptions for 489 yards and 7 touchdowns in 12 games, including bowl games. According to PFN’s CFB TE Impact Metric, he posted an impact score of 81.8, ranking 13th in the nation.
The Broncos now move forward in their first-game preparation process, while Joly goes looking for another job in the NFL.
