The Denver Broncos took free agency by storm, handing out deals for several free agents, including linebacker Dre Greenlaw. With the Broncos set to open training camp on July 22, Greenlaw has found himself among noteworthy company.
Greenlaw entered the league as a fifth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2019 draft, and he joined the Broncos on a two-year, $31.5 million deal after six seasons in the Bay Area.
The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider believes Greenlaw is the Broncos’ “player to watch.”
“Signing Greenlaw in free agency was a move to improve the ‘spine’ of that unit. If Greenlaw plays at a level that approaches his peak in San Francisco, the Broncos should be dangerous at every level of the defense,” Kosmider wrote on July 21.
“The big question is whether Greenlaw, who missed the spring with a quad injury, can get to the season healthy.”
Greenlaw has earned the nickname “Big Play Dre.”Greenlaw’s health is a fair concern for the Broncos. The former All-Rookie performer tore his Achilles during the Super Bowl in 2023 and has not logged a full regular-season slate since 2019. However, the Broncos were one of the best landing spots for Greenlaw in that regard.
Broncos Built to Keep Dre Greenlaw Healthy
Broncos head coach Sean Payton spoke highly about the team’s training staff, led by vice president of player health & performance Beau Lowery, which will be tasked with keeping Greenlaw and fellow oft-injured free agent pickups Evan Engram and Talanoa Hufanga healthy.
“The injury data, I could give you the graph. I think – 32 teams – a year ago, we finished first. This year we’re currently second from the – I don’t want to use the wrong word – but from what was taking place prior, all right? And that’s a credit to Beau Lowery. It’s a credit to the training room, the strength and development. It’s a credit to everyone involved,” Payton told reporters in January.
“There’s more than a year of proof, there’s two years of proof. And for those prior that it didn’t work out so well for – tough. That’s just what it was. They earned those numbers. When you have 134 players miss games because of injuries, something’s wrong. And then when you have 30 something two years in a row, something’s right.”
As for Greenlaw specifically, Payton has a “clear vision” about how he wants to deploy him in the Broncos’ defense this coming season.
Payton said he is “excited” to have Greenlaw with the Broncos.“Well, certainly, he’s experienced,” Payton told Broncos.com’s Aric DiLalla in March. “I remember him coming out [of college]. He’s a guy that obviously can run. He’s got a skill set that can help in the passing game — third down, red zone. And then it’s up to us to utilize what he does well, just like we try to do with each of our offensive players. His experience — he’s a savvy player, he understands how to get open in man and zone. Yeah, we’re excited to be working with those guys.”
Dre Greenlaw Expected to Be Ready for Training Camp
The Broncos clarified concerning reports that Greenlaw tore a quad muscle during an offseason workout, instead revealing that he suffered a strain.
He is expected to be a full participant in the team’s training camp.
“He’s on schedule. And I saw the early reports, and you don’t know how tempted I get sometimes. But I showed great restraint. He’s doing well and will be a full participant in training camp,” Payton told reporters in May. “All of that’s doing great, but I refrain.”
Incumbent Broncos linebacker and new teammate Alex Singleton is certainly looking forward to having Greenlaw around.
With Greenlaw in the fold, the Broncos’ third-ranked scoring and run defense could be even more formidable.
‘Big Play’ Former All-Rookie Lands on Watchlist After $31 Million Broncos Deal.
