It is appropriate the lockers of Red Murdock and Taurean York are next to each other at Empower Field.
The two Broncos inside linebackers have become fast friends. And both are making good strides as rookies.
But it remains to be seen if the two will remain locker mates. The Broncos have a deep roster, and neither is a certainty to be on the 53-man roster when NFL teams must get down Sunday to the regular-season limit. Both would be candidates for the practice squad if waived, but there is the possibility of being claimed or going to another team’s practice squad.
“The main thing is we can’t control (the 53-man roster),’’ Murdock, a seventh-round pick from Buffalo, said after Denver’s 34-6 home win over Minnesota on Friday night to conclude the preseason. “What we could control was what we did out there on the field. … Just going to breathe, going to get my recovery (and) learn what I did on the field.”
Murdock led the Broncos in tackles in the preseason with 18. He played 31 of Denver’s 61 defensive snaps against the Vikings and had three tackles.
York, who was undrafted out of Texas A&M, had five tackles in the preseason, including one for loss. He also played 31 snaps against the Vikings and had three tackles.
“You got nerves but you got to just pray about it,” York said of Sunday’s cuts approaching. “After I pray, I feel cool, calm and collected.”
Murdock and York first met in January at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas. They formed an immediate bond then, four months before they became teammates on the Broncos.
“At the Shrine Bowl, he was hurt, so we were sitting next to each other the whole time,” York said. “I found out he broke the (college) record for forced fumbles (with 17 in his Buffalo career) and I said, ‘Yeah, I can learn from this guy.’”
Murdock was recovering at the time from a chipped bone in his right ankle.
“I was in a boot and he was in the (East-West) game,” Murdock said. “And ever since then, we’re locked in. (We’re) very like-minded individuals. Really love the game of football.”
Murdock said York is “my guy for sure.” York said Murdock is “my main man” and that “iron sharpens iron” in how the two work together.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Goodson (25) runs against Denver Broncos linebacker Taurean York (42) during an NFL preseason football game in Atlanta, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
The linebackers met up again at the NFL scouting combine in February in Indianapolis. And then both reported to the Broncos in May.
The Broncos are set with starting inside linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. But after that, it’s a traffic jam. Competing for anywhere from one to three additional spots on the 53-man roster are second-year men Karene Reid and Jordan Turner along with Murdock and York.
“I’m very confident I can play at this level, but also confident in the little margins that I need to improve on that can make a big difference when I’m playing at a high level,” Murdock said.
Murdock, who made calls on defense during the preseason, likely has a better shot at cracking the 53-man roster than York. But it must be noted how much pride the Broncos take in having an undrafted rookie make the initial 53-man roster. It has happened in 21 of the last 22 years.
“That would be pretty cool,” York said of surviving the final cut. “It would be a blessing whether I’m on the 53 or whether I’m on the practice squad. … I just think of how far I’ve come, to be honest with you, with my high school recruiting journey and to all the way through college.”
The 5-foot-10, 227-pound was not heavily recruited coming out of Temple (Texas) High School due to being considered by many to be undersized and he finally did get a late offer from Texas A&M. The 6-1, 240-pound Murdock was not heavily recruited coming out of Hopewell (Va.) High School and had to spend a year at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy before earning a scholarship to Buffalo.
Now the two have become good friends. Stay tuned to see if they will continue to have lockers next to each other with the Broncos.