Broncos waive wide receiver Michael Bandy as roster churn continues

The Denver Broncos have waived wide receiver Michael Bandy, according to a report by Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post. The move, published by Yahoo Sports on August 30, is the latest example of how NFL teams trim their offseason roster and sort out depth at key positions ahead of the regular-season portion of the calendar.

For the Broncos, wide receiver is typically one of the most competitive spots on the field during training camp and the preseason. Even when a team believes it has established pieces at the position, it still needs reliable options who can separate in coverage, secure catches on timing routes, and contribute on special teams. A waiver decision like this suggests Denver concluded Bandy did not fit the current week-to-week plans at this stage.

A waiver is not the same thing as a release, and it can still keep a player’s NFL future open. When a team waives a player, other teams have an opportunity to claim him, and the order of claim is determined by league rules. If unclaimed, the player may be eligible to sign elsewhere, potentially including a practice-squad role, depending on the player’s status and the roster needs of the claiming team or the team that waived him.

Because the report does not include additional detail about why Denver made the move, it is not possible to attribute the decision to any specific on-field performance, injury, or roster transaction beyond the waiver itself. At this point, the most accurate takeaway is procedural: Denver has altered its receiver depth chart by putting Bandy on waivers.

Roster churn remains a defining feature of the NFL offseason. Teams repeatedly evaluate players during the final stretches of camp and preseason opportunities, balancing practice value, game-day roles, and overall roster construction. For fans, waiver activity can also be a reminder that even minor personnel adjustments can change how the team’s personnel groups look during the season, particularly at positions where injuries or matchup needs often reshape the rotation.

What to watch next is whether any other team claims Michael Bandy off waivers, which would create an immediate new chapter for the wide receiver. If he clears waivers, the Broncos or another organization could still explore a non-waived path, such as a practice-squad agreement, provided the league rules and timing allow it. Either way, Denver’s decision will continue to refine the competition for receiver snaps as the Broncos move toward their regular-season roster.