Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathan Cooper has been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list as a result of his off-the-field issues during the most recent offseason. Cooper will still be paid, but can’t practice or play while on the list, which is a major blow to the defense. Here are three free agent outside linebackers the Broncos should consider signing.
Three Unsigned Free Agent Outside Linebackers The Broncos Should Sign
Kyle Van Noy
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Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman (12) and linebacker Kyle van Noy (53) tackle Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Kyle Van Noy is the oldest player on this list but definitely still has a lot left in the tank. The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder was drafted out of BYU by the Detroit Lions as the 40th overall pick in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Van Noy has also played with the New England Patriots, the Miami Dolphins, the Los Angeles Chargers, and most recently the Baltimore Ravens.
In 12 seasons, Van Noy has had 561 tackles, 57.0 sacks, 39 pass deflections, 14 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, four interceptions, and three defensive touchdowns. Some highlights of Van Noy’s career include being a two-time Super Bowl champion and earning Pro Bowl honors in 2024.
Van Noy didn’t generate many sacks last season finishing with two, but he had the best sack total of his career in 2024, with 12.5 sacks. Since there’s no set date when Cooper will return, Van Noy could be a great option when it comes to helping younger players and would have a chance to revive his career playing on Denver’s defense.
Haason Reddick
Haason Reddick is another talented outside linebacker who isn’t the youngest but isn’t as old as Van Noy. The 6–foot-1, 240-pounder was drafted out of Temple by the Arizona Cardinals as the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Reddick has also had tenures with the Carolina Panthers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Jets, and most recently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Through nine seasons, Reddick has tallied 455 tackles, 61.5 sacks, 21 pass deflections, 18 forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. Reddick is a two-time Pro Bowler and was the NFL’s forced fumbles co-leader, also being named Second-team All-Pro in 2022.
2022 was also when Reddick had a monster season, ending the year with a career-high 16.0 sacks. That was also the year the Eagles made the Super Bowl before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs. If Reddick is given an opportunity and can play like he’s known to, he would pair well alongside Nik Bonitto and could be a potential replacement if the Broncos decide to move on from Cooper.
Darrell Taylor
Darrell Taylor doesn’t nearly have as much experience and success compared to Van Noy and Reddick but is still a young player who is looking for a new home. The 6-foot-4, 247-pounder was drafted out of Tennessee by the Seattle Seahawks as the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Other teams Taylor has played for include the Chicago Bears, the Houston Texans, and most recently the Patriots, where he was only on the practice squad.
The Last Word
After five seasons, Taylor has accumulated 126 tackles, 24.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, five pass deflections, and one fumble recovery. Taylor doesn’t have many major highlights in his career, but one in particular was finishing 2022 with a career-high 9.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Despite his last role in the NFL being a part of New England’s practice squad, Taylor is still a player who has the potential to develop into a superstar. Now he needs an opportunity. Even though it’s unlikely Denver will pursue him as the team just finalized its roster, Taylor could be an option the organization considers if they indeed do need someone to fill a hole at outside linebacker as the season progresses.
Main Image: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images