P.J. Locke

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Locke's path to becoming a staple of the Broncos' defense was defined by persistence. He initially joined the Denver Broncos' practice squad on December 17, 2019, after his release from Pittsburgh. His first taste of game action came when he was elevated to the active roster for Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans on September 14, 2020, though he reverted to the practice squad the next day before a permanent promotion on September 24. By the end of that season, he had established himself as a core special teamer, leading the Broncos in special teams snaps. A pivotal moment arrived on October 22, when he secured his first NFL career interception off a pass by Jordan Love to seal a victory over the Green Bay Packers at home. His resilience was tested again on August 31, 2023, when he landed on short-term injured reserve; he returned on October 7 and signed a two-year, $7 million contract extension with Denver on March 11, 2024.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Locke's resilience occurred following a Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. Suffering an injury that required spinal fusion surgery, he faced a medical milestone: no NFL player had ever previously returned from this specific procedure. Against those odds, Locke successfully underwent the operation and cleared his return to play. His story concluded its Denver chapter on March 10, 2026, when he signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys, ending his six-season run in Colorado where he had grown from a practice squad waiver claim into a vital defensive piece.

Reader's Guide

For fans tracking P.J. Locke's career, key dates define his trajectory. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2019, signed by the Steelers before moving to Denver in December of that same year. His active roster debut happened on September 14, 2020, against Tennessee. A major turning point was October 22, 2023, marking his first career interception. Financially, he secured stability with a two-year, $7 million deal signed on March 11, 2024. His most recent move occurred on March 10, 2026, when he joined the Dallas Cowboys for one year at $5 million. Fans should note his college background with the Texas Longhorns and his high school roots in Beaumont, Texas.

Did You Know?

• Locke was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2019, before being cut during final roster cuts just months later.
• On October 22, Locke recorded his first NFL career interception off a pass from Jordan Love to help defeat the Green Bay Packers at home.
• After injuring himself in a Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, Locke underwent spinal fusion surgery that no other NFL player had ever successfully returned from.
• Locke led the Denver Broncos in special teams snaps after the 2020 season, establishing himself as a core special teamer before earning a starting role.