The Denver Broncos have been on the hunt for linebacker support, and the signing of Dre Greenlaw on a three-year deal seemed like the answer. However, the gamble came with a caveat-Greenlaw’s well-documented injury history.
Unfortunately, that history followed him to Denver. Despite the Broncos’ reputation as one of the healthier teams in the league, Greenlaw couldn't shake off the injuries.
He appeared in only eight regular season games, playing 58 percent of the defensive snaps, partly due to injuries and a one-game suspension.
Greenlaw did manage to play in both playoff games, but the Broncos decided they couldn't depend on him long-term. This led to his release earlier in the offseason, prompting Denver to re-sign Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad.
Even with Jonah Elliss potentially stepping in, the linebacker position remains a concern. Greenlaw’s candid reflections on his time in Denver shed light on the challenges he faced.
During a recent appearance on Terron Armstead's podcast, Greenlaw opened up about his struggles in 2025 with the Broncos. He expressed frustration over not feeling physically at his best and the difficulty of justifying an $11 million contract while only being on the field half the time. The situation made it hard for him to find happiness and stability in his role, as he had to share reps with teammates who were performing well.
Greenlaw acknowledged the challenges of splitting reps and the unfamiliar territory it placed him in. Despite these hurdles, he emphasized that he holds no regrets about his time in Denver and appreciates the opportunity given by the organization and his teammates. Now, he's looking forward to a fresh start with the 49ers.
As for the Broncos, they find themselves back at the drawing board with their linebacker corps. Singleton and Strnad are expected to lead, with Elliss in the mix for snaps.
However, the need for a solid presence at linebacker remains evident. The experience with Greenlaw might have made the Broncos more cautious in this year's free agency pursuits at the position.