Broncos roster: CB Ja'Quan McMillian (No. 29) seeks long-term deal after 2025 heroics

Broncos Wire's 91-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fifth-year cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian, No. 29. (Note that the NFL lists McMillian as a fourth-year player because he only has three accrued seasons of at least six games.)

>Before the Broncos: McMillian (5-10, 183 pounds) spent his collegiate years (2019-21) playing for the East Carolina Pirates. McMillian was a ballhawk during his time in Greenville, terrorizing quarterbacks. In three seasons, McMillian made 127 total tackles (97 solo, 30 assisted, five tackles for loss), 28 pass deflections and intercepted 12 passes (including one for a touchdown), forcing two fumbles and recovering two fumbles. After college, McMillian was an undrafted free agent, but was picked up by the Denver Broncos to start his pro career.

>Broncos tenure: McMillian played just one game in his rookie year, in the season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. In the 31-28 win, McMillian recorded seven total tackles (six solo, one assisted) and a near-turnover. That single performance was enough to get McMillian noticed and on the field more. In 2023, McMillian played in 16 games (three starts), intercepting two passes, forcing two fumbles, totaling five pass deflections, two sacks, and 51 total tackles (37 solo, 14 assisted, seven tackles for loss).

>In each of the two subsequent seasons, McMillian continued to play a big role in Denver as a slot corner. McMillian started 12 of 24 games, intercepting four passes (returning two for touchdowns), forcing three fumbles, deflecting 19 passes, making five sacks, and 137 total tackles (101 solo, 36 assisted), including nine tackles for loss.

>However, McMillian's most important contribution came in the 2025 postseason. In overtime of the 2025 AFC divisional game against the Buffalo Bills, McMillian was ready for the moment. With the season on the line, McMillian went up for a Josh Allen pass, took the football away from wide receiver Brandin Cooks and came down with an improbable interception. The turnover completely swung momentum, and allowed Denver to kick the game-winning field goal for their first postseason victory since 2015.

>Chances to make the 53-man roster: Lock. McMillian has been a great player in the slot, forcing turnovers and rallying to where the ball is going. McMillian comes back to Denver on a one-year contract, and will look to parlay his play into a long-term agreement, either with the Broncos, or one of the other 31 NFL teams in 2027.

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>This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Ja'Quan McMillian seeks long-term deal after 2026