Jonah Elliss
Getty
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss.
The Denver Broncos signed what appeared to be their starting inside linebacker duo this offseason by giving new contracts to players already on their roster in Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton while parting ways with a high-priced free agent in Dre Greenlaw.
While it seemed on the surface that the Broncos also sacrificed their depth, we found out on Tuesday that’s not really the plan, and that a surprise position switch could add another element to the defense.
“(Broncos head coach) Sean Payton said Jonah Elliss is going to take some snaps at ILB,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans wrote on X on Tuesday from the annual NFL owners meetings in Phoenix.
Elliss, 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, has played his first 2 seasons as an edge rusher in a crowded position group for the Broncos that features NFL All-Pro Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, along with an up-and-comer in Que Robinson.
Jonah Elliss Could Have Breakout Role at Inside LB
Elliss, a 2024 3rd round pick (No. 76 overall), made the NFL All-Rookie Team with 38 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 7 TFL, 6 QB hits, and 2 pass deflections. He broke his scapula in a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round, missed 4 games in 2025, and saw his numbers dip to 2.5 sacks.
Elliss, the son of 2-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Luther Elliss, is 1 of 4 siblings who have played or are currently playing in the NFL, with older brothers Christian Elliss and Kaden Elliss both inside linebackers.
“Very, very, very curious about this move ofJonah Elliss to ILB,” Broncos reporter Cameron Parker wrote on X. “No doubt he has ILB in his family with Christian and Kaden. Wonder if they would use him some blitz downhill packages that they wanted Drew Sanders to have. Elliss definitely has an athletic profile.”
“Jonah Elliss playing snaps at ILB has to be great news for Que Robinson,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens wrote on his official X account. “Broncos are extremely high on Que, so much so that George Paton said after the season that Que might have the highest ceiling of any player in his Broncos draft class. Having Jonah play some at ILB opens up reps for Que outside.”
“Broncos need every path possible to upgrading ILB play,” Kodiak Broncos wrote on its official X account. “It gets both Elliss & Que on the field more. He has 2 years of solid rotational EDGE play under his belt, so worst-case scenario, he’s back to full-time EDGE.”
Elliss Pitched for ‘Change of Scenery’ in Offseason
Seemingly buried behind the depth chart behind Bonitto and Cooper, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz put Ellis at the top of his list of Broncos who could use a “Change of Scenery” in 2026.
“This is not an issue of a player who has not properly developed,” Schatz wrote. “Instead, Elliss is a talented young pass rusher who doesn’t have a path to start behind veterans Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper. Last season, Elliss had a 14.1% pass rush win rate and a 12.2% pressure rate. Both numbers were above average for edge rushers, but he played only 38% of snaps in the games for which he was active. It would be intriguing to see Elliss get a chance to start elsewhere in the league. Perhaps alongside his brother Christian with New England if K’Lavon Chaisson leaves in free agency?”