The Denver Broncos have filled a crucial gap in their defense, signing Dre Greenlaw—one of the NFL’s top linebackers in recent years.
Greenlaw isn’t just a good addition; he’s the kind of dominant middle linebacker Denver has been missing since Al Wilson. While Todd Davis held his own, the Broncos haven’t had a true game-changer at the position for a long time.
Injury Concerns? The Broncos Are Confident
Greenlaw’s injury history is the biggest question mark. However, Denver’s leadership—Sean Payton, George Paton, and Greg Penner—wouldn’t have made this move without confidence in his health. The team has also built one of the NFL’s best health and training programs. Since Payton’s arrival, bringing in Beau Lowery as vice president of player health and performance, the Broncos have gone from one of the league’s worst in injury management to one of the best.
When healthy, Greenlaw is a game-changer. His physicality and presence in the middle of the field are exactly what Denver’s defense has lacked for years.
A Proven Playmaker
Greenlaw spent six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, starting 56 games and racking up impressive stats:
455 tackles
18 tackles for loss
9 quarterback hits
3 interceptions
14 passes defended
2 forced fumbles & 2 fumble recoveries
2 defensive touchdowns
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Greenlaw has an 82.6 coverage grade since 2022, ranking fourth among linebackers with at least 1,000 coverage snaps. PFF also rated him as the best available free-agent linebacker this offseason.
Playoff Experience Matters
Beyond his stats, Greenlaw brings something invaluable: playoff experience. He has played in 12 postseason games, including four conference championships and two Super Bowls.
That experience is huge for a Broncos team that just made its first playoff appearance in nearly a decade. Greenlaw also knows what it takes to slow down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense—something that could be a game-changer for Denver.
The Key? Staying Healthy
The biggest challenge for Greenlaw will be staying on the field. If he can put his injuries behind him, he’ll make an immediate impact on an already strong defense—finally filling a hole that has existed for far too long.
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