Denver Broncos sign TE Caleb Lohner

Caleb Lohner's signing earns a B Contract Value Index (CVI), a straightforward roster move that reflects the Broncos' pragmatic approach to depth at a premium position. At $967,500 AAV on a reported $1.935M total deal, this is a true backup-level commitment — low-cost, high-flexibility depth acquisition that carries virtually no cap dead weight or future commitment risk. The structure suggests a short-term pact designed to provide competition and contingency behind the starter without tying meaningful resources to the tight end room, which aligns with how contending teams in the AFC West typically manage positional depth heading into a season where they're already positioned as the division's top seed. Lohner's recent cleanup procedure adds context to the timing: Denver is clearly comfortable with his health trajectory and sees value in having him available for rotation duty and injury insurance. For a team that just finished 14-3 and holds the AFC's #1 seed, this represents efficient roster management — low salary, low risk, and adequate positional coverage without overpaying for a role that doesn't demand franchise-caliber investment.