Denver Broncos Retired Jerseys: Retired Numbers and Who Wears What
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 25th 2026
- The Broncos have retired three numbers: 7, 18 and 44.
- Elway's 7 was retired on September 13, 1999.
- Peyton Manning wore Tripucka's 18 from 2012 to 2015.
- Bo Nix wears 10; Nik Bonitto wears 15.
This guide covers the Broncos' retired numbers and the numbers fans buy in 2026. It does not cover the NFL's position rules, which have their own guide.
Broncos retired numbers
| Number | Player | Position | Years with the Broncos | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | John Elway | Quarterback | 1983–1998 | September 13, 1999 |
| 18 | Frank Tripucka | Quarterback | 1960–1963 | Retired in his name; Peyton Manning wore it 2012–2015 with approval |
| 44 | Floyd Little | Running back | 1967–1975 | 1984 |
The Broncos have officially retired three numbers: 7, 18 and 44. None is worn by a player on the active roster or injured reserve in October 2026.
John Elway's 7
Elway's No. 7 was retired on September 13, 1999. He played quarterback for Denver from 1983 to 1998. See the Broncos throwback jerseys for retro styles.
Peyton Manning and No. 18
The Broncos’ own 2016 tribute report says No. 18 was briefly unretired for Peyton Manning from 2012 through 2015. The retired-number panel honors Frank Tripucka and also notes Manning’s contribution. That documented exception does not create a fourth retired number.
Floyd Little's 44
Floyd Little played running back for Denver from 1967 to 1975, and the team retired No. 44 in 1984. Little is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Current Broncos numbers fans buy
| Player | Number | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Bo Nix | 10 | Quarterback |
| Nik Bonitto | 15 | Linebacker |
| Patrick Surtain II | 2 | Cornerback |
| Courtland Sutton | 14 | Wide receiver |
| Jaylen Waddle | 17 | Wide receiver |
| Evan Engram | 1 | Tight end |
| J.K. Dobbins | 27 | Running back |
| Zach Allen | 99 | Defensive line |
| Talanoa Hufanga | 9 | Safety |
| Garett Bolles | 72 | Offensive tackle |
Rosters change during the season, so confirm a player is still on the team before you order a name and number. The NFL jersey number rules explain how the league assigns numbers by position.
Ring of Fame, Canton and retired numbers
The Broncos Ring of Fame is the team’s own honor; the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton recognizes careers across the league. Terrell Davis (30) and Champ Bailey (24) are in both, but their numbers are absent from Denver’s retired list of 7, 18 and 44. Ring of Fame membership does not by itself withdraw a number from use.
Quarterback and receiver numbers
Bo Nix wears 10, Sam Ehlinger wears 4 and Jarrett Stidham wears 8 at quarterback. Receivers wear 5, 11, 14, 17, 19 and 81, and tight ends wear 1, 45, 82 and 89. A number tells you the era, not the player, so match the number to a name on the listing, and remember that injured-reserve players still show on the roster.
A few more Broncos numbers
| Player | Number | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Wil Lutz | 3 | Kicker |
| J.L. Skinner | 34 | Safety |
| Alex Singleton | 49 | Linebacker |
| RJ Harvey | 12 | Running back |
| Marvin Mims Jr. | 19 | Wide receiver |
| Quinn Meinerz | 77 | Guard |
Injured reserve changes quickly, so use the ESPN roster as the starting point and check your player's status.
Legend and honor numbers
| Legend | Number | Status | Worn in 2026 by |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Elway | 7 | Retired | No one on the active roster |
| Peyton Manning | 18 | Retired in Tripucka's name | No one on the active roster |
| Floyd Little | 44 | Retired | No one on the active roster |
| Terrell Davis | 30 | Ring of Fame, not retired | Taylor Rapp |
| Goose Gonsoulin | 23 | Ring of Fame, not retired | Jahdae Barron |
| Tom Jackson | 57 | Ring of Fame, not retired | No one on the active roster |
The Broncos have retired far fewer numbers than teams such as the Bears and Giants. The Ring of Fame is their other way to honor players, and its members' numbers can still be worn.
Women's and youth sizes
Use the NFL jersey size chart after choosing a listed player and audience. For a historical number, compare the name and uniform era; a Ring of Fame honor does not guarantee a retail jersey is listed. Start from Denver Broncos jerseys to see the choices.
Jersey numbers FAQ
Which Denver Broncos retired jerseys represent officially retired numbers?
7 for John Elway, 18 for Frank Tripucka and 44 for Floyd Little.
What is the Bo Nix jersey number?
Bo Nix wears No. 10 on the roster cited here.
What is the John Elway jersey number?
John Elway wore No. 7, retired in 1999.
Why did Peyton Manning wear 18?
Tripucka approved his use of the retired number; Denver’s own report describes a temporary return from 2012 through 2015.
Are Terrell Davis’s 30 and Champ Bailey’s 24 retired?
No. They are Ring of Fame and Canton honorees, but those numbers are not on the official retired list.
Sources
- Wikipedia, List of Denver Broncos retired numbers (table partly garbled)
- Denverbroncos.com, the Broncos' retired uniform numbers (search summary only)
- ESPN, Broncos roster (Oct 25, 2026)
- Broncos retired-number tribute (checked Oct. 27, 2026, search summary)
- Broncos historian: retired numbers (checked Oct. 27, 2026)
- Broncos Ring of Fame (checked Oct. 27, 2026, search summary)