Dre Greenlaw, Denver Broncos
Getty
Dre Greenlaw #57 of the Denver Broncos reacts in a game against the Houston Texans.
After causing quite a stir regarding Dre Greenlaw’s future with the organization, the Denver Broncos have settled the matter.
The Broncos signed Greenlaw away from the San Francisco 49ers in free agency during the 2025 offseason. He was supposed to solidify their linebacking corps, but injuries limited him to eight games during the 2025 campaign.
He followed his tumultuous season with an offseason of uncertainty.
Broncos Make Final Call on Dre Greenlaw
Dre Greenlaw and Josh Jacobs
GettyJosh Jacobs #8 of the Green Bay Packers catches a touchdown pass against Dre Greenlaw #57 of the Denver Broncos.
On Thursday, March 12, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported a list of players who carried post-June 1 designations, which means the financial impacts of their releases will not be felt until the 2027 season, and Greenlaw’s departure from the Broncos was part of that list.
The news ends a story that took a dramatic turn on Wednesday, when the Broncos were expected to part ways with Greenlaw after his injury-marred 2025 season.
Denver never filed the move, so it was not reflected in the transaction wire, causing a stir.
However, The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reported in a post on X on March 11 that #Broncos impending release of LB Dre Greenlaw is not on the NFL transaction wire today but it’s still coming.”
Tomassson set the stage for the decision on Tuesday, noting that the Broncos would do just as they have ended up doing with Greenlaw.
Broncos Make Financially-Motivated Decision
Dre Greenlaw, Denver Broncos
GettyDre Greenlaw #57 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a stop against the Houston Texans.
“A source informed The Denver Gazette of the move Tuesday, which is why Greenlaw was not officially released Tuesday. The Broncos, who notified Greenlaw of his impending departure Monday, plan to release him when the NFL new league year starts Wednesday to take advantage of the rule that allows a team to spread dead money on the salary cap over two years,” Tomasson wrote on March 10.
“If the Broncos released Greenlaw without a June 1 designation, they would incur $6.023 million of cap savings this year and $4.33 million of dead money. By giving him a June 1 designation, they get a cap savings of $8.19 million this year with $2.167 million of dead money. However, the Broncos will have $2.167 million more dead money from Greenlaw on the cap in 2027.”
Tomasson noted that the Broncos will not realize the additional gains until June 1. The timing is inconsequential, though. The bulk of their offseason roster-building will be done by then.
Tomasson also noted that Russell Wilson was the last Bronco to receive a post-June 1 release.
The Broncos incurred an $85 million dead cap charge due to their decision to cut Wilson in 2024. He was in Year 1 of a five-year $245 million contract. Greenlaw’s deal was not as costly, but it still leaves the Broncos facing familiar questions at the position.
Broncos Face Questions at LB
Alex Singleton, Denver Broncos
GettyAlex Singleton #49 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack against the Tennessee Titans.
News of his official release also drew attention in Broncos Country, and it officially ends a signing that had red flags from the start.
Greenlaw signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Broncos.
Greenlaw was supposed to help the Broncos’ coverage at the second level of a stellar defense. But his 49ers career was rife with injuries. That includes significant ones like an Achilles tendon tear during the Super Bowl in 2023. That trend continued in Denver.
Now, the Broncos trudge forward with Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad (Greenlaw’s presumed replacement) heading for starting duties. Both re-signed in free agency this offseason.