The Denver Broncos are staring down a pivotal offseason when it comes to their linebacker group - and change may be coming fast. With veteran leader Alex Singleton and special teams mainstay Justin Strnad both set to hit free agency, and questions swirling around Dre Greenlaw’s future due to his cap hit and recent injury history, Denver could be headed for a full reset at the second level of its defense.
If that’s the path they choose, there’s one name that jumps off the page: Devin Lloyd.
Lloyd, the former first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, is coming off the best season of his young career - and it couldn’t have come at a better time. He’s expected to be one of the top linebackers available on the free agent market, and his résumé is starting to look like the kind of profile that commands serious attention.
Let’s talk about the on-field production. Lloyd has been a full-time starter since his rookie year, logging 61 starts over four seasons.
While his raw tackle numbers dipped slightly this year, the splash plays were undeniable. One of the signature moments of his season - and maybe of his career so far - came when he picked off Patrick Mahomes and took it 99 yards to the house in a statement win over the Chiefs.
That’s the kind of game-changing ability that doesn’t just show up in the stat sheet - it flips momentum, it wins games.
Over four NFL seasons, Lloyd has racked up 436 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, 26 pass deflections, 9 interceptions, and a defensive touchdown. This past season alone, he posted 81 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 7 pass deflections, and 5 interceptions - and that kind of production earned him his first Pro Bowl nod and a Second Team All-Pro selection. In short, he’s playing like one of the best coverage linebackers in the league right now.
Why Devin Lloyd Makes Sense for the Broncos
Let’s be honest - linebacker coverage has been a weak spot for the Broncos for several seasons. Tight ends and running backs have had too much success working the middle of the field and the flats, and Denver hasn’t had a true difference-maker at the position who can erase those matchups.
That’s where Lloyd comes in.
He’s a rangy, athletic linebacker with instincts in coverage and a nose for the football. His 9 career interceptions - including 5 this past season - would’ve led the Broncos in picks.
That kind of ball production from a linebacker is rare and incredibly valuable, especially in today’s NFL where creating turnovers is a premium skill. Denver’s defense showed flashes late last year, but for most of the season, they struggled to flip the field and generate takeaways.
Lloyd would help solve that problem immediately.
He’s also versatile. Lloyd can cover tight ends, track running backs in space, and drop into zone with fluidity.
He’s not just a thumper in the middle - he’s a modern linebacker built for the way offenses attack today. And in a defense that’s already strong up front and in the secondary, adding a playmaker at linebacker could take this unit from good to elite.
With Singleton and Strnad possibly on the way out, and Greenlaw’s status uncertain, Lloyd would fill a glaring need. He’s in his prime, has proven production, and brings the kind of athleticism and playmaking the Broncos have been missing at the position.
The Other Side of the Coin
Of course, there are reasons for caution.
For one, off-ball linebacker isn’t considered a premium position in most front offices - and that matters when you’re talking about handing out big contracts. Lloyd will turn 28 during the season, so any long-term deal would carry some risk as he approaches 30. Teams have to weigh whether they’re paying for future production or past performance.
There’s also the context of his breakout year. The Jaguars declined his fifth-year option before the season, and a new coaching staff seemed to unlock something in his game. That’s great for Lloyd, but it also raises the question: will that level of play translate to a new system and new surroundings?
And then there’s the draft. The 2026 class is deep at linebacker, with names like CJ Allen, Anthony Hill, and Jake Golday drawing early buzz. The Broncos could opt to go younger and cheaper - pairing a rookie with a more affordable veteran - and preserve cap space for other needs.
Where the Broncos Go From Here
Denver has options. They could bring back Singleton or Strnad and lean on familiarity.
They could roll the dice on Greenlaw returning to form. Or they could go all-in on a player like Lloyd and make a splash that signals they’re serious about making a run next season.
If they do go the Lloyd route, it won’t be cheap - but it might be worth it. He’s the kind of player who can tilt the field, who makes quarterbacks think twice, and who gives a defense the kind of range and awareness that’s hard to scheme against.
The Broncos’ defense already has the foundation to be one of the league’s best. Adding a linebacker like Devin Lloyd? That could be the move that takes them over the top.