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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Denver Broncos have a looming significant need on their roster, and they could find a Super Bowl champion to address it in free agency this coming offseason.
Head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton have worked in lock-step to build a roster that earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC in 2025 and has logged back-to-back 10-plus-win seasons.
They could have an easier time than expected addressing another hole with Nakobe Dean.
Eagles’ Nakobe Dean Gets Honest About Broncos Interest
GettyNakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against Las Vegas Raiders.
The Broncos enter the offseason with two of the top-three inside linebackers on their roster, Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, heading to free agency. Their third and supposed top backer, Dre Greenlaw, has been plagued by injuries throughout his career.
Dean, 25, was the 83rd overall pick of the 2022 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
After four NFL seasons and a Super Bowl victory in 2024, Dean could be heading toward free agency and would be open to joining the Broncos.
“Talked to Eagles ILB Nakobe Dean today at Radio Row. He said he likes ‘watching the Broncos’ defense,’” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans reported on X on February 6. “He’s about to hit free agency. Has made clear he wants to stay in Philadelphia but asked him if there’s interest in Denver.
“‘Yeah, if everything checks out … for sure.’”
ESPN’s Matt Bowen ranked Dean as the 48th-best potential free agent. However, he is the fourth-best linebacker who might come available this offseason.
“Dean bounced back from a knee injury in the 2024 playoffs to produce 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 55 total tackles in 10 games in 2025,” Bowen wrote in January. “He’s the best blitzing linebacker in the league, arriving angry versus running backs in pass protection. And he has the pursuit speed to track the ball on the edges.”
Spotrac projects Dean could command a contract worth $31.6 million over four years.
Over The Cap projects the Broncos will have $28.9 million to spend before they make any moves this offseason. OTC projects the Eagles will be $20.5 million below the salary cap, which means they should be able to contend to keep Dean in-house.
Still, the idea of pairing Dean’s downhill playmaking with Greenlaw’s coverage ability is intriguing for the Broncos.
Durability would still be a concern, though.
Broncos LBs Already Injury-Plagued
GettyDre Greenlaw #57 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a stop against the Houston Texans.
Dean has only played one full regular-season slate in his career, which was as a rookie. He has played in 30 games over the past two seasons, falling below double digits in two of the past three campaigns.
He also garnered attention for Comeback Player of the Year during the Eagles’ Super Bowl season. Dean recorded 128 combined tackles that season.
He has 55 or fewer stops in each of his three other seasons.
The Broncos utilized some of their prospects amid injuries to Greenlaw and Singleton this past season. They also still have 2023 third-round pick Drew Sanders, who remains a project entering his fourth season after missing the 2025 campaign due to an injury.
This offseason figures to bring plenty of changes to the Broncos roster, whether they target Dean or someone else.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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