Red Murdock didn’t take long to make his presence felt at Broncos training camp.
The Denver rookie linebacker, who was the final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, arrived with a reputation that already made him look like a bargain. At Buffalo, Murdock set an NCAA record with 17 forced fumbles, topping the previous mark of 16 held by former Bulls star Khalil Mack.
That wasn’t a fluke, either. It was a skill he built and refined over time, and it’s the kind of trait that can change a drive in a hurry.
On Friday, once the Broncos put the pads on, Murdock showed exactly why his best college calling card matters. During a 7-on-7 period, he forced a fumble on rookie tight end Justin Joly.
There was also a report that he punched the ball loose from wide receiver Hakeem Butler, though Butler may have been mistaken for Joly since Butler wears No. 30 and Joly wears No. 80.
Either way, Murdock logged at least one forced fumble in camp, and it came at a perfect time. He also added a tackle for loss, meeting running back Cody Schrader in the backfield and flashing the kind of burst that lets him slip through traffic and disrupt plays near the line of scrimmage.
That sort of impact matters for a Broncos defense that needs help inside. Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are set to handle all of the snaps at linebacker for now, and they’re the only players on the roster at that spot with any real experience on the inside. Behind them, Denver is sorting through a mix of young players, former undrafted free agents and Murdock, the lone draft pick among the reserves.
Murdock may not be sitting at the top of the backup depth chart just yet. Early in camp, he’s been working behind Levelle Bailey and Karene Reid. But if he keeps making plays like this, that won’t last long.
The Broncos want to take the ball away more this season, and Murdock’s knack for punching it loose gives them a weapon that can help make that happen. If he keeps forcing fumbles, he’s going to be tough to keep on the sideline.
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Dre Greenlaw Just Opened Up On Why His Broncos Stint Fell Apart
Dre Greenlaws lone season in Denver never really got a chance to settle in. The linebacker said injuries and a suspension helped turn what should have been a fresh start into a frustrating year, with a severe quad strain early in OTAs knocking him off track before he could build momentum in the Broncos system. He spent time on injured reserve and appeared in only eight games, leaving both sides with more questions than answers about how the fit was supposed to work.
Greenlaw said he takes responsibility for how it unfolded, even as he pointed to the difficulty of adjusting to a new environment while trying to get healthy. After Denver moved on from him in March, he was able to return to the place where he made his name, signing a one-year deal with the 49ers. For the Broncos, it is another reminder of how quickly an offseason plan can unravel when health and timing never line up. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Rookies Are Already Turning Up The Training Camp Pressure
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Elsewhere, Casey is in the middle of a battle for a guard spot, and tight end Joly has been working to sharpen his game while waiting for more chances in the passing game. It is the kind of early competition that can shape the back end of a roster before the preseason even fully settles in, and for Denver the encouraging part is that its rookies are already adding pressure in more than one spot. [Read more 🡒]