Alex Andrzej Palczewski Bio
Alex Andrzej Palczewski (born August 3, 1999) is an American professional football guard for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). A native of Mount Prospect, Illinois, he played college football at the University of Illinois where he earned All-American honors during his final season in 2022. Palczewski went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft but signed with the Broncos and has developed into a reliable contributor along their offensive line. Known for his versatility and size, he has logged significant playing time at both guard and tackle positions during his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Palczewski was born in Mount Prospect, Illinois, to Andrzej and Bozena Palczewski, both immigrants from communist Poland who relocated to the United States in the mid-1980s. His father worked as a carpenter while his mother pursued a career in nursing. Growing up in a Polish-speaking household, Palczewski was still learning English pronunciations through the third grade. Before focusing on football, he played soccer as a goalie during his youth.
Palczewski attended Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois, where he built a diverse athletic background. He competed in amateur wrestling throughout high school and spent two years each in water polo and track and field. During his junior year, he received his first scholarship offer from Virginia Military Institute. Rated as a three-star athlete, he drew interest from major programs including North Carolina, North Carolina State, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Indiana. He ultimately received offers from Syracuse, Vanderbilt, and Illinois, choosing to stay close to home by committing to the University of Illinois.
Path to Professional Football
Palczewski’s recruitment was affected by a neck injury including a fractured vertebrae that caused him to miss his entire junior season of high school football. Despite this setback, he demonstrated enough potential to earn interest from multiple Division I programs. His decision to attend Illinois reflected his loyalty to his home state and his desire to contribute to the program’s resurgence.
Alex Andrzej Palczewski Career
College Career at Illinois (2017–2022)
Palczewski began his college career at the University of Illinois in 2017. After missing the season opener, he made history by becoming one of three true freshmen starters on the offensive line alongside Vederian Lowe and Larry Boyd, marking the first time Illinois had ever started three true freshmen on the offensive line. He played as a starting guard in the final 11 games of his debut season. During his sophomore year in 2018, he transitioned to starting right tackle and played all 12 games in that role, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors.
He continued at right tackle during his junior season in 2019, starting in all 13 games and earning third-team All-Big Ten recognition. As a senior in 2020, he began the season as the starting right tackle but missed the final four games due to injury, still managing to earn Big Ten third-team honors. In 2021, Palczewski showcased his versatility by playing seven games at starting tackle and five at starting guard, appearing in all 12 games and earning third-team All-Big Ten honors. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2021.
For his final season in 2022, Palczewski returned to his starting right tackle position and played in all 13 games while serving as team captain. His exceptional performance earned him numerous All-American honors and recognition across multiple All-Big Ten teams, solidifying his status as one of the top offensive linemen in the country.
Denver Broncos (2023–Present)
Following the 2023 NFL Draft, Palczewski was selected 68th overall by the New Orleans Breakers in the USFL draft on February 21, 2023, though he ultimately did not sign with the team. He was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023, and placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2023. He was activated on January 6, 2024, beginning his path toward regular-season playing time.
Palczewski earned his first NFL start in Week 3 of the 2024 season when he took over for an injured Mike McGlinchey at right tackle. During Week 5 of that season, he suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Broncos’ victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, temporarily halting his momentum. He recovered and continued contributing to the offensive line rotation.
The 2025 season proved to be a breakthrough year for Palczewski’s role within the Broncos’ offense. He primarily served as the backup right tackle until Week 7, when both left guards Ben Powers and Matt Peart were placed on injured reserve. Despite having never played guard at the professional level, Palczewski stepped in and started at the position, demonstrating his adaptability and football intelligence. Additionally, fans throughout the season cheered enthusiastically whenever Palczewski was announced as an eligible receiver while lining up in the jumbo set tight end package for rushing plays. On March 5, 2026, the Broncos signed Palczewski to a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension, rewarding his contributions and securing his future with the organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
Standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 314 pounds, Palczewski possesses the size and length that NFL teams seek in offensive linemen. His primary strength lies in his versatility, having logged meaningful snaps at right tackle, left guard, and in jumbo tight end packages. His experience spanning multiple positions along the offensive line makes him a valuable depth piece and potential future starter. His ability to adapt quickly to new positions, as demonstrated when he shifted to guard in Week 7 of 2025, highlights his football IQ and positional flexibility.
Notable Events and Milestones
Palczewski’s career has been marked by steady progression despite challenges. His college career at Illinois established him as a durable performer, playing 12 or more games in five of his six seasons while earning All-Big Ten honors four times. His transition to the NFL included overcoming injury during his rookie season before earning his first start in 2024. The 2025 season saw him develop a unique role in short-yardage situations as a receiving threat, drawing fan excitement. His contract extension in March 2026 represented the culmination of his journey from an undrafted free agent to a valued member of the Broncos’ offensive line.
Alex Andrzej Palczewski Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Palczewski has appeared in 31 NFL games with 13 starts across his time with the Denver Broncos, logging significant experience at both tackle and guard positions.
| Team | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 31 | 13 |
Alex Andrzej Palczewski Family
Family Background and Heritage
Both of Palczewski’s parents immigrated to the United States from Poland in the mid-1980s, establishing their family in the Chicago suburbs. His father, Andrzej, worked as a carpenter while his mother, Bozena, pursued a career in nursing. Their immigrant background shaped Palczewski’s early childhood, as Polish was the primary language spoken at home. He grew up with two brothers who share his athletic pursuits.
Personal Life
Throughout his football career, Palczewski has gone by the nickname “Palcho” among teammates and coaches, adopted because his Polish surname proved difficult for many to pronounce correctly. His commitment to community service was evident during his senior season at Illinois in 2021, when he co-presided over Lift for Life, a charitable organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for people battling rare diseases. Palczewski has cited fictional boxer Ivan Drago from the film “Rocky IV” as his favorite athlete, explaining his admiration for Drago’s approach of letting his performance speak through athletic talent and work ethic rather than verbal expression.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant chapter in Palczewski’s professional career with the Denver Broncos. After spending much of his first two seasons developing behind established starters, he entered the year as the primary backup at right tackle. His role evolved throughout the season as the team navigated injuries along the offensive line, creating opportunities for him to showcase his adaptability.
Throughout the season, Palczewski became a fan favorite for his unique contributions in short-yardage situations. When the Broncos deployed their jumbo package for rushing plays, Palczewski lined up as an eligible tight end, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the home crowd whenever he was announced as a receiving threat. This unexpected dimension to his game added value beyond his traditional blocking duties.
His most significant contribution came in Week 7 when injuries to both starting left guards forced the coaching staff to move him to an unfamiliar position. Despite having never played guard at the professional level, Palczewski stepped in and performed admirably, demonstrating the football intelligence and work ethic that characterized his college career. His versatility and reliability throughout the season directly contributed to the Broncos’ decision to sign him to a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension in March 2026, securing his place with the organization for the foreseeable future.