The Broncos found an unexpected gem in Justin Strnad last year. By the time the postseason rolled around, Strnad had earned the starting spot over Dre Greenlaw, who was just returning from a hamstring injury. Now, the big question is whether Strnad's impressive performance has set him up for a bigger role elsewhere.
Key Stats:
- Strnad recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks and 8 quarterback hits in 2025.
- Over the past two seasons, he started 16 games, despite not playing any defensive snaps in 2022 and 2023.
- He allowed a 63.0 passer rating as the nearest defender in coverage last season, ranking seventh among 98 linebackers with at least 100 coverage snaps, according to Next Gen Stats.
- Ranked 11th in hit rate and 29th in pressure rate among 74 linebackers with at least 30 pass-rush snaps in 2025, per Pro Football Focus.
Why the Broncos Might Keep Him:
If the Broncos decide to secure Strnad with a multi-year deal now, they might get him at a reasonable price. They could potentially offer a contract similar to what Cody Barton received last year-a three-year, $21-million deal with the Titans. This would be slightly more than Alex Singleton's contract from three years ago, which averaged $6 million per year.
Comparing Strnad and Singleton's 2025 performances reveals some intriguing insights. Strnad excelled in coverage, pressure, and hit rate in the pass rush.
Meanwhile, Singleton was a more dependable tackler, boasting a lower missed-tackle rate. Singleton also ranked much higher in run-stop rate, sitting 16th among 99 inside linebackers, whereas Strnad was 49th.
Why the Broncos Might Let Him Go:
The Broncos could choose to stick with Singleton and their intended starting duo, who only made six starts last season. Another option is to reset the position, taking advantage of a free-agent class featuring names like Devin Lloyd, Devin Bush, Nakobe Dean, Leo Chenal, and Bobby Wagner, along with a draft class rich in linebacker talent.
The decision between Singleton and Strnad becomes even more interesting given Strnad's youth and potential. While Singleton could serve as a bridge to a drafted player, Strnad is more likely to be seen as a long-term solution.
The Outlook:
Much like Barton last year, Strnad will likely receive offers to start elsewhere. If the Broncos want to keep him, they'll need to assure him of a starting role before the legal-tampering period begins.
This would mean parting ways with either Greenlaw or Singleton. Not re-signing Singleton is straightforward, but releasing or trading Greenlaw is also feasible.
Doing so would free up $6.023 million in cap space, with $4.333 million in dead money. Post-June 1, the savings would increase to $8.19 million.
Expect to see Strnad in a starting lineup come Week 1, though it's increasingly doubtful that it will be with the Broncos. His standout performance last year has likely opened doors elsewhere, making it less probable that he'll be part of Denver's starting defensive unit.