Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions players: who played for both

Who played for both the Broncos and Lions?

96 players were on both the Denver Broncos and the Detroit Lions rosters between 1960 and 2026, including Matt Prater, Josh Johnson, Gus Frerotte and Ray Crockett. 48 of them were with the Broncos first and 43 with the Lions first; 5 joined both in the same season.

Did you know?

  • Johnny Olszewski is the earliest on this list to complete the pair: Lions first, then the Broncos from 1962.
  • Zach Cunningham is the most recent: Broncos first, then the Lions from 2025.
  • Matt Prater spent the most seasons across the two: 7 with the Broncos and 7 with the Lions.
  • 6 of them had two or more separate spells with one of the teams, such as Graham Glasgow.
  • Most common positions on this list: OL (12), RB (11), WR (11), DB (10).

How many can you name?

Name players who were on both the Broncos and the Lions. The surname is enough. 0 / 96

All 96 players, most seasons first

Seasons on each roster (1960–2026). A gap of a season or more starts a new spell.
PlayerPosBroncosLions
Matt PraterK2007–20132014–2020
Josh JohnsonQB20222019
Gus FrerotteQB2000–20011999
Ray CrockettCB1994–20001989–1993
Sam MartinP2020–20212013–2019
Eric DavisCB20012002
Charlie WestDB1978–19791974–1977
Ephraim SalaamT2002–20032009
Michael BurtonRB2023–20252015–2016
Paris LenonOLB20132006–2008
Teddy BridgewaterQB20212023–2024
Tim McKyerDB19971993
Dave WashingtonLB1970–19711978–1979
Dre' BlyCB2007–20082003–2006
Ryan McNeilCB20031993–1996
Tramaine BrockCB20182020
Andre' GoodmanCB2009–20112002–2005
Graham GlasgowOL2020–20222016–2019, 2023–2025
Harvey SalemOL19911986–1990
James JonesDL19951999–2000
Jeff DriskelQB20202019
Kalif RaymondWR20162021–2025
Keith WashingtonDE2001–20021996
Luther EllissDT20041995–2003
Michael BrooksLB1987–19921996
Michael SchofieldOL2014–20162023
Mike MontlerOL19771978
Shane DronettDL1992–19951996
Stephen AlexanderTE2005–20072004
Doug WidellOL1989–19921994–1995
Glyn MilburnRB1993–19951996–1997
Josh ReynoldsWR20242021–2023
Justin ForsettRB20162016
Kwon AlexanderLB20242024
Marlin BriscoeWR19681975
Mike FordDB20212018–2020
Miller FarrDB19651973
Patrick RamseyQB2007–20082009
Rafael BushDB20112016
Reuben DroughnsRB2002–20042000–2001
Rich KarlisSPEC1982–19881990
Roger ShoalsOL19711965–1970
Tim PatrickWR2018–20232024
Zach CunninghamLB20242025
Allen AldridgeLB1994–19971998–2001
Darius HollandDT20031998
Darren CarringtonDB19891990
Dwayne WashingtonRB20232016–2017
Kenoy KennedySS2000–20042005–2007
Kyle PekoDL2016–2017, 2019–20202024
Larry LeeOL1987–19881981–1985
Manuel RamirezG2011–20142007–2009, 2015
Marquand ManuelSS20082009
Nate WayneOLB1998–19992005
Paul SmithFB20072003–2005
Sylvester WilliamsDL2013–2016, 20202018
Theo RiddickRB20192013–2018
Vernon FoxSS2008–20092004–2005
Willie GreenWR1997–19981991–1993
Ben NiemannLB20232024
C.J. AndersonRB2013–20172019
Jason HunterDE2010–20112009
John GonzagaOL19661961–1965
Maurice HarveyDB1978, 19801983, 1987
Maurice TylerDB1973–19741976
Tony SchefflerTE2006–20092010–2012
Tre'Quan SmithWR20232024
Boss BaileyOLB20082003–2007
Cassius VaughnCB2010–20112014
Dan GoichDL19741969–1970
Dan LaRoseOL19661961–1963
George FosterT2003–20062007–2008
Joel HeathDL20202021
Kasim EdebaliLB20172017
Bill CottrellOL19721967–1970
Brian ClarkWR2006–20072010
Devine OzigboRB20222023
Jeff CampbellWR19941990–1993
Keary ColbertWR20082008
Netane MutiOL2020–20222024
Olandis GaryRB1999–20022003
Tatum BellRB2004–2006, 20082007
Bill LarsonTE19801977
Darius KilgoDL2015–20162019
Alphonso SmithCB20092010–2011
David JonesOL19871984–1985
David KircusWR20062003–2004
Gabe IkardC20172015
Johnny OlszewskiRB19621961
Kirk DodgeLB19871984
Randy RichDB19771977
Rick DuncanP19671969
Travis FulghamWR20212019
Jack WilliamsCB2008–20092009
Parnell MotleyDB20202021
Quanterus SmithDE20142016

From the nflverse roster files (CC BY 4.0), refreshed 2026-10-06. A season counts when the player was on the roster: from 2002 on, at least one regular-season or playoff week as active, injured reserve or inactive (practice squad alone does not count); 1960–2001 use the season rosters.

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More “played for both” lists

Denver Broncos and…

Raiders 107Patriots 103Chargers 102Titans 99Dolphins 97Commanders 9549ers 94Bills 92Jets 91Rams 87

Detroit Lions and…

Colts 117Cardinals 116Browns 111Saints 111Falcons 110Dolphins 109Rams 108Seahawks 107Commanders 10649ers 105

All team pairs

Questions

How many players have played for both the Denver Broncos and the Detroit Lions?

96 in the nflverse roster files from 1960 to 2026, including Matt Prater, Josh Johnson, Gus Frerotte and Ray Crockett. Players whose time with one of the teams was practice squad only, or before 1960, are not counted.

Who was the first player on this list to play for both?

Johnny Olszewski: Detroit Lions first, then the Denver Broncos from 1962.

Who has played for both recently?

Michael Burton, Graham Glasgow, Kalif Raymond and Zach Cunningham, with a season on one of the two rosters in 2025 or 2026.

Does a player count if the team has moved or changed its name?

Yes. Seasons count for today's franchise, the way the league keeps team history. Neither of these teams has moved since 1960.

Rosters from nflverse (CC BY 4.0). Team logos are trademarks of their respective teams (logos via TheSportsDB). Independent and not affiliated with the NFL or any team. Credits