Head coach Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos have seen plenty of their former players find new homes this offseason, and now they have two–Deuce Vaughn and Juwann Winfree–essentially swapping spots on the roster of a Super Bowl hopeful and one of the preseason favorites in the AFC.
Denver and Vaughn’s new team, which is now Winfree’s former club, the Houston Texans were seemingly on a course to meet in the AFC Championship Game.
If all goes well, the Broncos could see Vaughn and the Texans this coming season.
Deuce Vaughn Finds New Home in AFC
GettyEx-Broncos RB Deuce Vaughn has resurfaced in the AFC.
With Vaughn signing on the same day, he and Winfree have essentially swapped out for one another, with the former Broncos RB now facing the pressure to prove himself.
Vaughn, 24, has 110 rushing yards on 40 career carries, with 10 catches for 58 yards.
Originally a sixth-round selection by the Dallas Cowboys, he spent the 2025 season on the Broncos’ practice squad and was re-signed on a futures contract in January. However, the Broncos cut ties with Vaughn in May.
Now, he joins a battered Texans backfield for at last the final week of the preseason after playing in the UFL with the Orlando Storm this past spring.
Teams must trim their rosters to 53 players by August 30.
Former Broncos WR Juwann Winfree Swapped Out for Deuce Vaughn on Texans’ Roster
GettyEx-Broncos WR Juwann Winfree is back on the free agent market.
News of Winfree’s exit spread first, with Texans Truth Serum’s Jayson Braddock posting the ex-Broncos’ departure was made to make room for linebacker Caleb Johnson.
Winfree, who turns 30 in September, was a sixth-round draft pick by the Broncos in the 2019 draft. Taken 187th overall (sixth round), he has since spent time with the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts.
He had a short stay with the Texans in what was his second stint.
He originally signed with Houston in August 2025, but landed on injured reserve just over one week after joining.
Winfree re-signed with the Texans on August 10 of this year.
The veteran has caught nine passes for 75 yards in his career, starting one of his 29 career appearances. He has contributed on special teams almost as much as he has on offense, but that was not enough to save his roster spot.
Broncos Reunion in Houston
GettyBrett Rypien is one of several former Broncos on the Texans’ roster.
In Houston, Vaughn will reunite with two another former Broncos player in cornerback Tremon Smith, and he joins a third in quarterback Brett Rypien.
Smith is a former draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Super Bowl with the club in 2018. He has also spent time with the Packers and Colts, though he narrowly missed crossing paths with Winfree at both stops.
Rypien last played for the Broncos in 2022 and also missed being teammates with the others.
Smith was with the Texans in 2025, but Rypien and Vaughn are both in Houston due to injury woes, which could set them up to face the Broncos if everything falls into place.
The Broncos have the eighth-best odds in the AFC to win the Super Bowl as of August 23, per FanDuel. The Texans have the third-best odds, meaning Rypien and Vaughn are more likely to make it than the current Broncos, at least according to Vegas.
Still, a playoff matchup between the two clubs is a strong possibility.
Super Bowl Contender Adds Former Broncos RB, Cuts Ex-Denver Draft Pick