Broncos Sign Super Bowl Winner Zach Triner Ahead of NFL Draft, Shake Up Specialist Unit
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Denver Broncos are actively making roster moves in free agency, including a key addition to their special teams unit. On April 21, the team signed veteran long snapper Zach Triner, who brings championship experience and legitimate competition for incumbent Mitchell Fraboni.
According to Mike Klis of 9News, Triner, a 34-year-old specialist from Assumption University, spent most of the last six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He split time between the Bucs and Miami Dolphins during the 2024 season. Triner entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and was Tampa Bay’s long snapper during their 2020 Super Bowl-winning season, snapping for Tom Brady in all regular and postseason games.
His arrival creates a direct challenge to Fraboni, 28, another undrafted free agent who has held the Broncos’ long snapper role for the past two seasons. Fraboni has played in all 34 regular-season games over that span and earned recognition in 2024, receiving eight All-Pro votes, including three first-place selections.
Despite Fraboni’s strong recent play, his job isn’t guaranteed. As Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post noted, Fraboni signed a three-year, $4.2 million deal this offseason that includes $1.7 million in guarantees—respectable, but not unbreakable, money in NFL terms. In comparison, Triner has earned $5.4 million across his career through several short-term contracts. The terms of his new deal with Denver have yet to be disclosed.
The Broncos’ moves at long snapper are part of a broader effort to strengthen their special teams heading into the 2025 season. They also replaced punter Riley Dixon—who joined the Buccaneers—with veteran Matt Haack, formerly of the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins. Haack appeared in four games in 2024, averaging 47.0 yards per punt, ranking 18th in the league—slightly better than Dixon’s average of 46.7 yards.
Haack has a history with Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, having worked under him in Miami. Rizzi reportedly prefers punters with a left-footed, directional style and solid hang time, which aligns with Haack’s strengths and the altitude advantage in Denver.
Despite signing Haack, Denver has been connected to several other punting options, including UFL players Colby Wadman and Marquette King—both familiar names to Broncos fans.
As the team continues to overhaul its specialist unit, they also signed veteran wide receiver and returner Trent Sherfield. With the Broncos ranking 10th in punt return yardage allowed (8.7 yards) and 16th in punt return average (27.5 yards) last season, these additions are expected to help elevate their special teams performance in 2025.
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