Alex Singleton, Denver Broncos
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Alex Singleton #49 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack against the Tennessee Titans.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is fairly blunt, while general manager George Paton utilizes more nuance. The two leading Broncos figures have worked well together building this roster, and they will need to do so again with Alex Singleton.
The veteran linebacker is one of several pending free agents heading into the 2026 offseason, and his future is as uncertain as any.
Singleton has made his stance clear, far more so than the Broncos have to this point.
Alex Singleton in Broncos’ Plans
Alex Singleton
GettyJustin Strnad #40 and Alex Singleton #49 of the Denver Broncos celebrate a sack during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans.
On Tuesday, Singleton heard Payton say in no uncertain terms that the linebacker and running back spots are two that the Broncos will have to explore this offseason, citing Singleton and fellow veteran Justin Strnad.
“Well, if we look at our roster, and we start doing the ‘musts’, you would say you have to take the free agents out of the equation. And so, running back would have to be one. Linebacker, there’s two of them. So, when we go through that exercise, I think you have to remove the magnets,” Payton told reporters on February 24
“When you do that, you look at the roster differently. You look at tight end differently. You look at–So, those are positions, certainly, that would stand out.”
Paton also spoke on Tuesday, and candidly said the Broncos wanted the duo back.
He also acknowledged other factors at play. Paton made it clear that the Broncos wanted Singleton and Strnad back on the roster next season, and that the draft really was not a factor in their thinking.
“We’d love to have them back. Regardless of what’s in the draft, … we see those guys as Broncos. If we let those guys leave, what do we do? Those are good dudes. Now, it doesn’t mean we can get them, right? Everyone’s watching tape,” Paton said on Tuesday. “Wth those some players, man, you just want to get back regardless of the strength, you know?”
Despite Paton’s assertion, the Broncos have been operating more in alignment with Payton’s comments so far, meeting with a bevy of linebacker prospects at the 2026 combine.
Paton noted the difficulty of relying on a rookie at MLB.
The Broncos still have 2024 free agent signing Dre Greenlaw, who also battled injuries this past season, as well as prospects in Drew Sanders, Karene Reid, and Levelle Bailey. But losing Singleton could be a blow without a clear, reliable replacement.
Alex Singleton a ‘Hidden Gem’ in Free Agency
Alex Singleton, Denver Broncos
GettyAlex Singleton #49 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers.
Singleton may be hitting the market at as good a time as any for a veteran in his position, coming off a strong, if not well-defined, season with the Broncos.
CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles listed Singleton as a “hidden gem” of free agency.
“Alex Singleton, 32, shined in Denver after starting his career with the Eagles, and now he enters free agency once again,” Pereles wrote on February 20. “PFF graded him very highly as a run defender and not as highly as a pass defender. Still, he can provide solid play in the middle, especially when behind an impactful defensive line.
Singleton has spent the last four seasons as a member of the Broncos, longer than he spent with the Philadelphia Eagles (three seasons) or any of the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, or Seattle Seahawks.
He began his career with Seattle as an undrafted free agent. Singleton is a two-time team captain and has started 47 of his 53 games in a Broncos uniform.
He has logged 35 starts in 36 outings over the past three campaigns.
Alex Singleton Gets Projected Market Value
Alex Singleton, Denver Broncos
GettyAlex Singleton #49 of the Denver Broncos reacts against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Singleton is coming off a three-year, $18 million contract with the Broncos, and he has earned $20.6 million in his career. Spotrac projected Singleton’s market value at $4.7 million annually with a two-year, $9.3 million pact as an example of what he could land.
Over The Cap projected the Broncos have $28.6 million before making any moves.
Finding room for Singleton could prove more complicated than it might seem, despite his and the Broncos’ interests.