Alex Palczewski's Rise: Denver Broncos' Homegrown OL Star

0:00On March 4, Denver Broncos lineman Alex Paujeski has carved out a bigger role on the offensive line. The 6-foot 6-3-014-pound player joined the team as an undrafted free agent from Illinois back in 2023. He started as a backup at Wright Tackle in Guard, but stepped up to start three games in 2024 and 10 more in 2025. His biggest breakthrough came filling in at left guard for an injured teammate, even though he had never played that side before. Paujeski handled both tackle and guard spots effectively, showing real versatility during those starts. Team leaders have praised his growth, calling him big, smart, and tough. They note he stepped in seamlessly at Wright Tackle 2, when needed, proving himself as a reliable young player who's hitting his peak. Looking ahead, the 26-year-old is set to hit Restricted Free Agency next week, but the Broncos plan to keep him with an extension. There's talk of trading his left guard competitor this off-season, opening the door for Paujeski to lock down a starting spot.

1:03With his steady improvement, he's primed for even more action in 2026, giving Denver a solid homegrown option up front.