The Denver Broncos’ linebacker room could look a bit different come next season. Veteran team captain Alex Singleton and reserve/special teams ace Justin Strnad, who has started games for the Broncos the past two seasons, are free agents. On top of that, veteran linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been rumored to be a potential cap cut in the coming weeks, so it’s possible that the Broncos could have a hard reset at the linebacker position.
If they decide to go that route, one player who may interest them
is Jacksonville Jaguars star linebacker Devin Lloyd. The Jaguars selected Lloyd in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft with their 27th overall selection, and he is coming off a career year for them.
Lloyd has started for the Jaguars since his rookie year and has totaled 61 starts through his four seasons in the league. While his tackle numbers were down this year, Lloyd made multiple impactful plays this season, including a 99-yard pick-six against the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes during their upset victory over them.
Through four seasons in the NFL, Lloyd has totaled 436 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 18 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, 26 pass deflections, 9 interceptions, and 1 defensive touchdown. This past year for the Jaguars, Lloyd totaled 81 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 7 pass deflections, 5 interceptions, and 1 pass deflection.
Due to his performance this season, Lloyd was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was named a Second Team All-Pro. Now, he is expected to hit the free agent market and cash in on his breakout year.
Player Profile
Height: 6-3
Weight: 235 pounds
Experience: 4 NFL seasons
Age: 27 (turns 28 during the season)
2025 stats: 81 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 7 pass deflections, 5 interceptions, and 1 pass deflection
Why the Broncos should sign linebacker Devin Lloyd
Linebacker coverage has been a weakness for the Broncos for multiple seasons now. We have seen tight ends and running backs abuse the linebackers in coverage and in space for years, and it is time they finally address it.
Devin Lloyd would give them a very athletic linebacker who excels in coverage. He has 9 career interceptions and is coming off a year where he had 5 interceptions. That is more than any other Broncos player and would give this defense a player who can create some turnovers. They did show some improvement in that area late in the season, but for the most part, the Broncos struggled to create turnovers on the defensive side of the ball this season. Lloyd would help with that and give them someone who can cover the middle of the field, the flats, and help cover tight ends and running backs.
The Broncos’ defense will remain a strength next season, and upgrading the linebacker position could make this unit even better. Keep in mind, Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are free agents, and Dre Greenlaw is a potential cap cut and is coming off an injury-filled 2025 season. Adding a player like Lloyd would be a huge get and fill a major need on this team.
He won’t come cheap and will be one of the top available players if he does hit free agency, but he should be a priority player for the Broncos. The Super Bowl window is open,, and adding an impact player like Lloyd to the defense could make this already elite defense even better.
Why the Broncos should not sign linebacker Devin Lloyd
Off-ball linebackers are a low-value position in the eyes of most NFL teams, so giving a big contract to one may not be what the Broncos have in mind this offseason. Also, Lloyd will turn 28 years old during the season, so giving a big deal to a linebacker nearing 30 years old is always risky. Meanwhile, you could get another solid linebacker like Quay Walker, who will be 26 years old and entering the prime of his career for a similar price.
He is also coming off a bit of a breakout year. The Jaguars declined his fifth-year option heading into the seaso,n and the new coaching staff helped get the most out of him. Will that continue with the new team he signs, and will he fit their scheme?
Also, the 2026 NFL Draft is deep at linebacker. So, a team like the Broncos could decide to target a CJ Allen, Anthony Hill, Jake Golday, or one of the other linebackers in the draft and pair them with a cheaper veteran and go from there.
Final Thoughts
I am curious to see what the Broncos do at linebacker.
I can see a scenario where they re-sign Alex Singleton and/or Justin Strnad and run it back with Dre Greenlaw and a rookie, sign a player like Lloyd and pair them with Greenlaw, or blow it up and let Singleton and Strnad walk and cut Greenlaw.
There are multiple options available in free agency, and as I mentioned, the draft is deep at linebacker as well. So, the Broncos will have multiple options available to them.
If they decide to go with Lloyd, I would be excited. He won’t come cheap, but he would give the Broncos the type of player they are missing. A big and fast coverage linebacker who has great range and closes on the ball quickly. This defense figures to be top-ranked again next season, and adding a player like Lloyd could make them even more dangerous.
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