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The Denver Broncos made a free-agent splash by getting Dre Greenlaw, but his injury is concerning. Also, the team might still have its eyes on a trade target before training camp rolls around. However, the team took chances in the 2025 NFL offseason and here is the Broncos’ riskiest move.
Regardless of the kudos the Broncos have received from the signing of Greenlaw, that move turned out to be their biggest gamble.
Greenlaw played a total of 34 snaps in the 2024 NFL season. Furthermore, he has only only full campaign under his belt. And that came in his rookie year in 2019.
OK, let’s get one thing clear. Greenlaw can be a force when he’s healthy. In 2022 and 2023 he racked up 127 and 120 tackles, respectively, for the 49ers. He also defended 10 passes over those two seasons.
There’s a lot to like about Greenlaw, according to nfl.com.
“Turning 28 this offseason, Greenlaw remains one of the top linebackers in the NFL,” Kevin Patra wrote. “His two-plus quarters played last year were some of the best any linebacker put on film. Question the injury? Sure. Question the film? Nope. If he’s healthy next season, this is a smashing move for Vance Joseph’s defense.”
Broncos head coach Sean Payton dismissed the injury concerns recently, according to a post on X by DNVR Broncos.
“He’s doing well and will be a full participant in training camp,” Payton said. “All of that is going great.”
However, the injury Greenlaw suffered an Achilles injury in 2024. It does not have a guaranteed return to a player’s previous form. Furthermore, a quad injury in April raised concerns about his 2025 season.
Initial reports suggested a torn quad, which could have cost him a significant portion of the 2025 season. But it turned out to be a strain, according to denvergazette.com.
“The source said no surgery is planned for Greenlaw, it is ‘rehab only’ for his injury,” Chris Tomasson wrote. “And that he is expected without question to be ready for the start of training camp in late July. The Broncos knew about it going into the draft, and they did not select an inside linebacker.”
Payton expressed happiness about getting Greenlaw and another former 49ers standout, Talanoa Hufanga, according to nbcsportsbayarea.com.
“I would say we felt good coming out of it,” Payton said on Monday. “We felt like our team got better from a football makeup standpoint, and toughness. And we’ll continue to use that momentum as we get closer to the draft and even after the draft.”
Interestingly, Hufanga has an injury history, too. He only appeared in seven games in 2024 because of a torn ACL.
But Payton said the team understood the injury status helped the Broncos get both players.
“Quite honestly — we would have had a much more difficult time signing...
