The Denver Broncos have some important decisions to make this offseason, and before they dive into the free-agent pool, they’ll need to figure out what to do with their own roster. One of the more intriguing internal situations involves linebacker Justin Strnad - a player who’s been reliable when called upon and now wants a bigger piece of the pie.
Strnad, who’s been a steady presence in the Broncos’ linebacker room, made it clear he’s looking for more than just a depth role moving forward. In a recent conversation, he didn’t mince words: “To be honest, I don’t think I would be back here if it’s not in a starter role.” That’s a bold statement, but it’s also the kind of clarity that makes front office decisions both easier and more complicated.
Here’s the situation: Strnad started eight games this past season, stepping in for Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton when injuries or rotation needs arose. He also started eight games back in 2024.
So he’s not just a guy who fills in - he’s shown he can handle the responsibilities when given the chance. But with Greenlaw and Singleton ahead of him on the depth chart, the path to a full-time starting job in Denver is far from guaranteed.
And that’s where things get tricky. Singleton is also set to hit free agency, and there’s some chatter that Greenlaw could be a cap casualty.
If one or both of those players move on, the door could open for Strnad. But if they’re both back in 2026, it’s hard to imagine the Broncos bumping Strnad ahead of them without a major shift in philosophy.
To complicate matters further, Strnad is reportedly looking for a multi-year deal after playing on back-to-back one-year contracts. At 29 years old - he’ll turn 30 in August - this could be his last shot at securing a stable, long-term role. And he wants that role to be as a starter.
From the team’s perspective, it’s a fair ask, but it also puts them in a tough spot. Inside linebacker has been a revolving door for Denver in recent years, and while Strnad has proven to be a dependable backup, the question is whether the Broncos see him as a long-term solution in the starting lineup - or just a high-end reserve.
This isn’t the first time Denver has faced this kind of decision. After the 2018 season, they were in a similar spot with Shaquil Barrett.
He was a talented player who consistently delivered when called upon, but with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb entrenched as starters, Barrett wanted more. The Broncos couldn’t offer it, so he signed with Tampa Bay - and promptly led the NFL with 19.5 sacks in 2019.
That’s the kind of scenario that haunts front offices: letting a player walk who just needed the right opportunity to break out.
Strnad’s situation isn’t a perfect parallel, but the stakes are similar. He’s earned the right to ask for more.
Whether that happens in Denver or elsewhere remains to be seen. What’s clear is this: if the Broncos want to keep him, they’ll likely need to make a tough call on either Singleton or Greenlaw.
Otherwise, Strnad may be suiting up for a new team in 2026 - one that’s ready to give him the starting job he’s been working toward.