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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Buffalo Bills.
The stars are apparently aligning for Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos roster. It could prove to be a pivotal 2026 offseason.
Like 29 other teams at this time of year, the Broncos’ season is over. However, this is when the work for 2026 begins. The Broncos still have plenty of roster positions to address this offseason in the 2026 draft and free agency.
The early read on the situation is encouraging.
Offseason Shaping Up in Broncos’ Favor
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before facing the Green Bay Packers.
The Broncos are coming off their best season under Payton, earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. They were eliminated in the AFC Championship Game by the New England Patriots and must work to improve this offseason.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid posted on X on February 3 that “It’s been a while, but we finally have a really good LB class. This group is loaded. Great year to need an off-ball LB.”
That bodes well for Payton and the Broncos.
“Good news for #Broncos,” The Denver Post’s Troy Renck posted in reaction. “They need to add an inside backer in draft regardless what decision they make with [Dre] Greenlaw, [Alex] Singleton and [Justin] Strnad.”
Singleton and Strnad are both free agents this offseason. Greenlaw is signed through 2027, but he played in eight games during his first campaign with the Broncos.
Reid listed 11 prospects at the position who could appeal to teams during the 2026 draft.
Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles of Ohio State led a list including Aiden Fisher (Indiana), Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas), Bryce Boettcher (Oregon), C.J. Allen (Georgia), Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), Jake Golday (Cincinnati), Josiah Trotter (Mizzou), and Kyle Louis (Pitt).
“Plenty more names could’ve been added here,” Reid noted about the 2026 crop of linebacker prospects.
Broncos Urged to Address Defensive 2nd Level
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton leaves the field after losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Broncos’ roster, and specifically their linebacker corps. was the focus for NFL.com’s Kevin Patra. Patra urged Payton and Co. to “fill the linebacker void.”
“I still believe the Broncos could use another reliable WR target for Bo Nix, but the linebacker room must be dealt with first. Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad — who is on the record stating he wants to be a full-time starter — are both set to be free agents,” Patra wrote on February 3.
“Greenlaw remains, but there are durability concerns for the soon-to-be 29-year-old who has only participated in 15-plus regular-season games twice in the past six seasons. Whether it’s re-signing Singleton or Strnad, going to the market or drafting one high, the Broncos must fill the linebacker hole this offseason.”
The Broncos relied on former undrafted free agents Jordan Turner, Karene Reid, and Levelle Bailey at times during the regular season.
A longer-term investment in a premium talent at the position could be warranted.
The Broncos are among the teams that figure to benefit the most from the NFL’s increasing salary cap. It will allow the Broncos to build out their roster with veterans as needed once Nix inks an expensive extension.
However, the draft remains the best place for teams to position themselves for sustained success. That must remain the goal for Payton and the Broncos’ roster.
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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