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 the Broncos could have a hard reset at the linebacker position.
If they decide to do that, one player who may interest them on the free agent market
is Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker. He was a first-round pick by the Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he has started 57 games for them since then. During his four-year career with the Packers, Walker totaled 469 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception, and 17 pass deflections. This past year for the Packers, Walker played and started in 14 games, totaling 128 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and 5 pass deflections.
Walker will be one of the top defensive free agents available if he hits the open market, and could be a player the Broncos target in free agency. They have cap space available, a need at linebacker, and Walker would bring them some youth, athleticism, and talent to the position.
Player Profile
Height: 6-4
Weight: 240 pounds
Age: 25 years old
Experience: 4 NFL seasons
2025 stats: 128 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and 5 pass deflections.
Why the Broncos should sign LB Quay Walker
Walker is still young, in the prime of his career, very athletic, and fits what defensive coordinator Vance Joseph likes to do. He is a strong downhill run defender who excels at blitzing, which we know Joseph loves to do. He has four years of starting experience under his belt and has been part of multiple talented Packers defenses that have made postseason runs.
You need to have a strong run defense if you want success in the NFL, and Walker would help with that. The Broncos have been good in that area, but he would be an upgrade over Alex Singleton.
As I mentioned, he is just 25 years old, stands at 6-4, weighs 240 pounds, has a 4.5 speed, and is a former first-round pick. These are traits that will get you a big money deal in free agency.
On top of all that, Walker has had the green dot for multiple years now with the Packers and has plenty of experience doing that. Alex Singleton has had that responsibility, but he is a pending free agent as well. So, the Broncos would be getting a reliable, experienced, and athletic linebacker with first round pedigree in Walker if they do indeed sign him.
Why the Broncos will not sign LB Quay Walker
Well, there is a chance that the Packers will attempt to re-sign Walker. He has been a key member of their defense for multiple seasons and has paired well with former second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper. Like the Broncos, the Packers are in a Super Bowl window and will attempt to keep their young core together.
One of the Broncos’ biggest weaknesses on defense has been their linebackers in coverage, and unfortunately, Quay Walker will not help the Broncos much in that area. While he is a great downhill run and chase linebacker that can help out as a blitzer, he struggles in coverage. He has the size and athleticism, but his coverage ability has not really developed.
Don’t get me wrong, he is a very good linebacker, but his coverage ability is a major weakness. If the Broncos are looking for someone to play better in coverage, Walker should not be their target. If they’re looking for a solid downhill run defender with great range and blitz ability, then maybe Walker is their guy.
Final Thoughts
He would not be my first option here, but I would not be upset if the Broncos did sign him at a reasonable price. Even with his coverage struggles, Walker would be an upgrade over what the Broncos had. However, will you be comfortable giving a linebacker top money when they will be a liability in coverage?
That’s a tough one.
As I mentioned, he is a good downhill run and chase linebacker who would strengthen the Broncos run defense. Teams are running the ball more than ever, so maybe linebacker shifting back to being bigger and more focused on run defense is the way things are trending again. The Bills were running it effectively against the Broncos in the divisional round so a good run defender at the position would be welcomed.
As I said, he wouldn’t be at the top of my list, but I wouldn’t be upset if they did sign him. He would be an upgrade, and the Broncos’ defense has done well with linebackers who struggle in coverage already, so I don’t think it would be the end of the world.
