The Denver Broncos kicked off free agency, signing Talanoa Hufanga to a three-year $45 million deal. But that wasn’t the only big-time move they made. They also signed Hufanga’s 49ers teammate Dre Greenlaw to a three-year $35 million contract.
Before the legal tampering period started, Sean Payton and George Paton were very non-committal on how aggressive Denver would be entering free agency. But after the first 24 hours it became very clear that the Broncos are trying to win now.
Hufanga was the first domino to fall, and now with the addition of Greenlaw, Denver has addressed its two biggest defensive weaknesses.
What Dre Greenlaw Brings to Denver
Greenlaw is arguably the biggest steal of early free agency. Other elite linebackers received much bigger contracts. Jamien Sherwood got a three-year $45 million deal and and Zack Baun signed a three-year $51 million deal. So why did Denver get such a great player at such a lower price? Greenlaw is coming off of an Achilles tear in Super Bowl 58, and only appeared in two games in 2024.
But when Greenlaw is healthy, he’s one of the best linebackers in all of football. He was the heart and soul of San Fransisco’s defense. Over the of the 2022 and 2023 seasons he had 247 total tackles, and in the 49er’s run to Super Bowl 58 he had 18 tackles and two interceptions in nine quarters.
Returning from an Achilles tear is no small feat, but Greenlaw is only 27-years-old. And now being over a year removed from his injury, he should be ready to go in 2025. And he should vastly improve an already elite defense. Greenlaw does it all, he’s rated as a top 15 linebacker against the run and is excellent in coverage.
The Denver Broncos lost Cody Barton to the Tennessee Titans on Monday, but dramatically improved the linebacker position with this move.
The Denver Broncos 2025 Defense
Last season Denver already had an elite defense. They set a franchise record with 63 total sacks and had the defensive player of the year winner in Patrick Surtain. The one whole was in their run defense. Now with the addition of the two former 49er’s the Denver Broncos have a scary defense for 2025.
Denver is an early free agency winner, and now looks to contend for the AFC West title for the first time since the Peyton Manning days.
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