A few days ago, reserve offensive lineman Alex Palczewski walked into the Broncos’ locker room and received a healthy dose of “crap” — as he put it — from quarterback Bo Nix. “What’s up, All-Pro Palcho?” Nix cracked, as Palczewski recalled. “What are you talking about?” Palczewsk i asked, confused. “Ah,” Nix replied, “you know what I’m talking about.” This past Saturday, 14 Denver Broncos received Associated Press All-Pro votes for their contributions in 2025. One of them was Palczewski, the third-year reserve offensive lineman who became a cult hero early in the season for cycling in and out of games as a jumbo tight end. He started only 10 games at left guard in 2025, after filling in midseason when Ben Powers tore his bicep. Palczewski had no idea he’d earned a vote until his quarterback ragged him. “I was shocked,” Palczewski recalled. Palczewski, who slid over from right tackle with Denver’s offensive line thinned, hadn’t played on the left side of the offensive line since “the Obama administration,” as he put it in late October. The Polish frontman finished 2025 tied for 59th in total snaps among NFL guards, according to Pro Football Focus, and was replaced by a healthy Powers in Week 18. The All-Pro teams are decided by a national panel of 50 reporters. Palczewski wants to find the lone member who gave him a vote. “I made a joke it was like, NFL Poland,” Palczewski cracked. “Some writer from there.” The Denver Post reached out to the Associated Press on Wednesday afternoon to inquire into the status of this mysterious voter. One needed to simply see the wry smile on Palczewski’s face to know this was a strange vote. He’s now slid fully into a backup role, again. But his importance to Denver’s offense in 2025 was clear, as the Broncos turned to him as a third option at left guard after backup Matt Peart suffered a season-ending ACL tear. And he’s a likely candidate for Denver to tender in the offseason as a restricted free agent, an ultra-versatile piece in offensive line coach Zach Strief’s room. “There’s only seven guys who got a vote (at LG),” Palczewski said. “So I was like, ‘that’s pretty (expletive) cool.’” Related Articles Renck: Broncos need to run Jaleel McLaughlin to stop critics from running their mouths Broncos excited to have LB Dre Greenlaw back against Josh Allen, Bills: ‘He’s a fighter’ Broncos’ Sean Payton doesn’t think safety Brandon Jones (pec) will return in postseason Has Sean Payton been holding back on offense ahead of NFL playoffs? | Broncos Mailbag Broncos vs. Bills: Setting up Denver’s first home playoff game in a decade | Podcast An old friend. Former Broncos passing-game coordinator John Morton was in attendance at Denver’s practice Wednesday, seen engaging in a long discussion with head coach Sean Payton and watching quarterback-receiver drills intently. After two years working with Payton in Denver, Morton was hired by the Lions as their offensive coordinator last offseason. Things didn’t shake out in Detroit, though, as head coach Dan Campbell relieved Morton of play-calling duties midseason and then fired him after a disappointing 9-8 year. Davis Webb, the 30-year-old Broncos quarterbacks coach and passing-game coordinator,  is generating big-time head-coaching buzz, and Wednesday could mark a preview of a future Payton staff if Webb leaves after the year. Dobbins is back to side-field work. Another day of clean health also came with an encouraging sign for Denver: running back J.K. Dobbins was seen doing rehab work on a side field at practice for the first time since landing on injured reserve in November. Dobbins has been more visible around Denver in recent weeks and has been bullish on making a return before the end of the season. His timetable is still unclear, though, and the Broncos have yet to open his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis. ...read more read less