Justin Strnad
Getty
Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad.
For many, it has seemed like inaction by the Denver Broncos because, out of the 32 NFL teams, they were the only 1 to not sign a single, solitary outside free agent.
That’s with what seemed like pressing needs at wide receiver and on the interior defensive line, where John Franklin-Myers left for a big-money deal with the Tennessee Titans.
According to The Athletic’s Jordan Rodrique, the Broncos’ in-house moves — bringing back 13 free agents off their 2025 roster — instead put them at the top of a list of “Win Now” teams in the NFL and put them directly in the realm of legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
“Plot twist! A team that has so far signed zero external free agents this spring is in this category,” Rodrique wrote on Monday. “They did agree to terms with their own players — 13 of them, through the first few days of free agency. The Broncos are here because of their roster completeness, from their top defense and offensive line to the continued emergence of quarterback Bo Nix (when healthy), and because their roster floor is so high, even with needs such as defensive line depth. They have also openly called their shot: that they like their developing players more than whoever was available in free agency. The Broncos act as though they belong in this bucket. We’ll see if it works out for them.”
Broncos Singled Out for Re-Signing Inside LB
Rodrique singled out the Broncos re-signing backup inside linebacker Justin Strnad to a 3-year, $18 million contract as the franchise’s “Most Interesting Move” to this point in the offseason.
Strnad’s contract included $10 million in guaranteed money.
“TheBroncos are bringing back a key member of their defense,” The Athletic’s James Palmer wrote on his official X account on March 8. “LB Justin Strnad is returning to Denver on a 3-year deal worth $18 million with $10 million guaranteed … $5.1 million is guaranteed at signing per sources. A smart player that had options elsewhere.”
Strnad, 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, has been invaluable the last 2 years with starter Alex Singleton missing time to injuries both years and highly-priced free agent linebacker Dre Greenlaw missing 9 games due to injuries and suspension in 2025.
The deal for Strnad came just 1 day before free agency began.
Drafted in the 5th round (No. 178 overall) out of Wake Forest in the 2020 NFL draft, Strand missed his entire rookie season with a wrist injury suffered in training camp.
Since then, he’s been one of the most durable players on the roster, playing in 85 out of a possible 87 regular-season and postseason games since 2021.
While Strnad started 5 games in 2021, he didn’t start another game until 2024, but he’s started 8 games each of the last 2 seasons.
He had career highs of 73 tackles, 8 TFL, 3.0 sacks, and 3 pass deflections in 2024 as the Broncos snapped an 8-year playoff drought. In 2025, Strnad had 58 tackles to go with 4.5 sacks, 5 TFL, 8 QB hits, 3 pass deflections, and his 1st career interception.
Broncos Likely Turning Attention Toward Draft
In all likelihood, barring a blockbuster trade for a player like Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, the Broncos probably are directing the majority of their attention toward the upcoming 2026 NFL draft.
In USA Today’s post-free agency mock draft released Monday, the Broncos were predicted to directly address Franklin-Myers’ exit by taking 6-foot-6, 327-pound Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks at No. 30 overall in the 1st round.