The Denver Broncos released safety Taylor Rapp on Wednesday, ending a stay that lasted less than a week.
Denver signed the veteran on Aug. 20 to add depth behind starters Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones. Six days later, the team cut him as part of a series of roster moves ahead of Friday’s preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings.
The corresponding moves included signing defensive tackle Israel Antwine and offensive tackle Foster Sarell and waiving receiver Kyre Duplessis.
Rapp, 28, had agreed to a one-year deal worth about $1.3 million at the veteran minimum. He had worked out for Denver earlier in August after spending months as a free agent following his release by the Buffalo Bills in March.
Rapp never established much of a presence on the practice field. Reporters noted he was barely seen in pads before the club moved on. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph had praised him only a day earlier, calling Rapp smart, tough, and a fit for a winning culture.
Head coach Sean Payton later suggested the split may not be final. Rapp “needs a little time at home and completely get what he’s needing,” Payton said. “There’s a good chance — a better than good chance — [that he re-signs]. I know how he felt being here.”
A former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 out of Washington, Rapp has played 93 regular-season games with 72 starts. He spent four seasons in Los Angeles and three in Buffalo.
In 2024 he started 14 games for the Bills and posted 82 tackles, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. A knee injury limited him to six games in 2025 and led to midseason surgery. He has 12 career interceptions and 31 passes defensed.
The highlight of his résumé remains Super Bowl LVI. Rapp started all 17 regular-season games for the 2021 Rams, recording 94 tackles and four interceptions.
He missed the first three playoff games after a concussion in the regular-season finale but returned for the Super Bowl, making seven tackles as Los Angeles beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. After the win he proposed to his girlfriend on the field.
In Denver, Rapp was competing with JL Skinner, Devon Key, Tycen Anderson, and others for a reserve role after P.J. Locke left in free agency. Joseph had recently praised Skinner’s progress, and the timing of Rapp’s release was viewed as a boost for the younger safety.
Whether Rapp returns after final roster cuts or lands elsewhere, the Broncos got only a brief look at a player who already owns a Super Bowl ring.
