The NFL is full of hopeful stories, but not all of them have a fairytale ending. They say victories can overshadow any flaws. Apparently not. At least not for Sean Payton’s Broncos. They have taken quite a big decision right after their 29-19 win over the Raiders.

The Denver Broncos have waived tight end Greg Dulcich after three seasons, ending an underwhelming tenure. NFL insider Ari Meirov broke the news. From flashes of brilliance to a struggle to stay healthy—Greg Dulcich’s journey with the Broncos has been anything but predictable. The decision comes in the wake of the Broncos’ tight ends having a rough game against the Raiders. Nate Adkins, Lucas Krull, and Adam Trautman all struggled, especially in blocking, leading to missed opportunities. With Dulcich’s waiver, the team looks to build a roster that fits Payton’s vision.

Dulcich became a potential pick for the Broncos due to his average of 17.6 yards per reception in college at UCLA. He signed a 4-year, $5,259,139 contract with Denver, for whom his rookie year 2022 started pretty strong. He recorded 33 receptions for 411 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games. Fans were hopeful about his future, and so was Coach Payton. He believed Dulcich could be a potential “joker” player in his offense.

But the number 80 appeared in just two games and recorded 32 snaps in 2023. Injuries crept in and kept him away for most of the season. Dulcich played in only six games during Payton’s tenure. Despite showing promise during the camp after recovery, he has disappointed fans. He only appeared in the first four games of the season and has been benched ever since.

With young QB Bo Nix on board, the tight end position becomes crucial in the offensive line. But the position has been a source of problem for the Broncos in recent years. Dulcich’s inability to stay on the field only highlighted this issue. With the playoffs closing in, Denver is still in the search for a match-winning tight end.

What’s Next for the Broncos and Greg Dulcich?

With Dulcich waived, the Broncos have freed up space on their roster, opening the door for a future draft pick. This could also lead to opportunities for other players like Josh Reynolds or Drew Sanders. Denver stands at 7-5 at this point. As they look forward to face the Chargers, in the first-ever flexed Thursday night game in week 16, the Broncos management would want the team to pull stellar performances in the leading weeks. Coming back to Dulcich, despite his struggles in Denver, his talent hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Dulcich could clock 4.6 in the 40-yard dash. The combination of size and speed still makes him an intriguing option. As suggested by Mile High Sports, teams like the Browns, Chargers, and Colts might be interested. With all three teams facing the Broncos in the next few weeks, Dulcich becomes a lucrative pick for them. And an opportunity in a different system can change his career graph.

His main issue in Denver was his blocking. The Broncos needed a tight end who could contribute in all aspects of the game. Dulcich tried to fit in and worked on improving his blocking. Alas! It wasn’t enough to secure a regular role. A deal with a team that doesn’t need him to block every play could just be the right fit for him.

In conclusion, Dulcich still has a future in the NFL, but it won’t be in Denver. He showed a lot of promise, but his journey was hindered by injuries and a lack of opportunity.