A six-year Illinois starter and undrafted free agent who turned a fill-in role into a lucrative Broncos extension.
Alex Palczewski has quietly become one of Denver's most valuable offensive line pieces, a versatile tackle-turned-guard who proved in 2025 that he can start at a high level when called upon. His steady play was rewarded with a multi-year contract extension.
Path to the league
Palczewski started all 65 games he played across six seasons at Illinois, spending most of his career at right tackle with some time at guard, and earned third-team All-America and second-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 2022. He went undrafted in 2023 and signed with the Broncos as a college free agent.
Career highlights
Palczewski made his first NFL starts in 2024, stepping in at right tackle after starter Mike McGlinchey was injured. He has since built a reputation as one of the league's most reliable backup linemen, capable of playing multiple spots along the line.
2025 season recap
Palczewski filled in as Denver's starting left guard for 10 games in 2025 while Ben Powers was out with injury, and his performance was strong enough to draw trade speculation about Powers heading into 2026. Denver rewarded him in March 2026 with a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension rather than placing a tender on him.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Alex Palczewski
- ESPN: Alex Palczewski
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Offensive Tackle
- Group
- offense
- College
- Illinois
- Hometown
- Mount Prospect, IL, USA
- Age
- 27
- Status
- active
