Mike Woods’ NFL Nightmare Continues as Broncos Release Him Before the Season Starts

Mike Woods’ journey with the Denver Broncos came to an end before it could truly begin. The former Green Bay Packers wide receiver had high hopes of starting the 2026 season with a new team, but his time in Denver was cut short when the Broncos waived him just before the season’s start.

Woods suffered an injury earlier this month and was placed on injured reserve. On June 24, the Broncos officially waived him with an injury settlement, as reported by Denver Post analyst Parker Gabriel on X. “The #Broncos waived WR Mike Woods with an injury settlement, per the wire,” Gabriel wrote.

Woods had signed with Denver after participating in minicamps and joined the team in May. He was excited about the opportunity and shared highlights of his time in Denver in a post on his Instagram on May 17. “ITS ONLY MY THIRD DAY OUT HERE IDK … DENVER WHADDUP! Loving my new city,” he wrote.

However, before he could even get started, his journey with the Broncos ended abruptly. Injuries have been a recurring issue throughout his career. After being selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft, Woods played his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns, catching five passes for 45 yards in 10 games.

The following season, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and was placed on the reserve/injured list. He played in only five games in his next season and was eventually waived by the Browns with an injury designation. Later, in November 2025, he signed with the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad but was released by the team in December.

In addition to waiving Woods, the Broncos also released cornerback Paul Manning Jr. and offensive lineman Nash Jones as they prepare for training camp next month.

For Woods, the waiting game has now begun.

What’s Next for Mike Woods?

Woods is now a free agent and can sign with another team once he is healthy, according to Jon Heath of the Broncos Wire. However, he cannot immediately re-sign with the Broncos.

While he enjoyed success during his college football career, the NFL has been a struggle for him. In 2021, while playing for the Oklahoma Sooners, he caught 35 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns before entering the NFL draft.

However, in two NFL seasons, he appeared in only 15 games, recording 12 receptions for 110 yards without a touchdown. Meanwhile, for the Broncos, the wide receiver room is still crowded.

The Broncos appear to have five receiver spots already spoken for in Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, and Troy Franklin, provided Mims and Franklin aren’t traded. If the team carries only five wideouts, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Hakeem Butler, Michael Bandy, and Dane Key may be left battling for one spot.

Being released by Denver, it will be interesting to see how things unfold for Woods in the future.

Conclusion

Woods’ story is one of resilience and perseverance, but also of the challenges that come with the NFL. His journey has been marked by injuries and setbacks, yet he continues to push forward. As he looks for a new team, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see where his path leads next.