$31.5 Million Contract Turns Into a Failure – Broncos Release Dre Greenlaw After Realizing They Already Have Two Better Linebackers Recently Extended

DENVER, Colorado – On the very first day of the 2026 NFL free agency period, Denver Broncos made a notable roster decision by officially parting ways with linebacker Dre Greenlaw. The move marks the end of a signing that once carried high expectations but ultimately became a disappointing chapter for the organization.

Just one year ago, Denver signed Greenlaw to a three-year contract worth $31.5 million, hoping the former star of the San Francisco 49ers would bring physicality and stability to the inside linebacker position. However, what unfolded on the field never matched the level of expectations the team had envisioned.

Greenlaw’s struggles began early. During the preseason, he dealt with health issues that caused him to miss nearly the entire preparation period. Once the regular season began, the situation did not improve much as he missed nine games due to injury and appeared in only eight contests overall.

Even when he was available, Greenlaw could not regain the form that once made him one of the NFL’s most respected linebackers. Reports indicated that he played only about 58 percent of defensive snaps in the games he appeared in. He also served a one-game suspension following a confrontation with a game official after a contest.

A major reason for Greenlaw’s decline traces back to the devastating Achilles injury he suffered during the Super Bowl while still with the 49ers. Before that injury, Greenlaw had been a cornerstone of San Francisco’s defense, known for his sideline-to-sideline speed, physical tackling, and consistent production.

In the two seasons following that injury, however, he appeared in only 10 games and recorded 52 tackles, a sharp drop compared to the level of play he displayed during his peak seasons.

Meanwhile, the Broncos realized they already had more reliable options on the roster. Linebacker Justin Strnad recently signed a three-year, $18 million extension with the team, while Alex Singleton also secured a new two-year contract worth $15 million.

With both players healthy and playing key roles within the defensive system, Denver ultimately decided to release Greenlaw to create approximately $6 million in salary cap space, even though the team will absorb about $4.33 million in dead money.

The decision closes a short but disappointing chapter in Dre Greenlaw’s time in Denver. It also reflects the Broncos’ willingness to make difficult roster choices as they look to restructure their defense and build a more stable unit heading into the upcoming season.