Broncos Would be Wise to Keep 'Bash Bros' LB Duo Together in 2023
There’s a new sheriff in the Mile High City, and his name is Sean Payton. During his introductory press conference, the Denver Broncos' 20th head coach in franchise history spoke about bringing “law and order” immediately to the club.
What better way to govern the wild, wild AFC West on defense than with two hard-hitting, throwback linebackers like Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton?
Payton made the decision to hire Vance Joseph as defensive coordinator earlier this week. Joseph — the former Broncos head coach — utilizes athletic linebackers that can drop into coverage and play sideline to sideline.
As it stands, though, Joseph might have to find another starting linebacker to play next to Jewell, as Singleton is set to be an unrestricted free agent. On the subject, Aric DiLalla of the team website asked a pivotal question that shouldn’t be overlooked: Will the 'Bash Bros' return in 2023?
Jewell, nicknamed ‘The Outlaw,' was drafted to Denver out of Iowa in the fourth round back in 2018. That was Joseph's second and final season as head coach. Jewell is one of just two Broncos defenders from the Joseph regime still on the roster (Justin Simmons).
Entering his sixth season, Jewell has played in 62 games with 43 starts. You’d be pressed to find a more blue-collar player and quality teammate on the roster, making the 28-year-old a core player and team leader.
Jewell has endured a high coaching turnover, having played in defenses led by Joseph, Vic Fangio, and most recently, Ejiro Evero. But what’s lost in consistency for the Broncos coaches Jewell makes up for in production. He logged 128 tackles (70 solo), seven tackles for a loss, four QB hits, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four passes defended, and two interceptions last season.
Last spring, Broncos GM George Paton extended the former All-American with a two-year $11 million contract that keeps Jewell in Denver through the end of the 2023 season, which all but signals that No. 47 will return to the starting lineup this fall.
But what about the other half of the ‘Bash Bros?’
Singleton went undrafted out of Montana State in 2015, signing with the Seattle Seahawks as a college free agent. The California native had brief stints with the Seahawks, New England Patriots, and Minnesota Vikings during his rookie year before landing with the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders in 2016.
Singleton's two-year performance in Canada earned him CFL All-Star honors when the Philadelphia Eagles signed him in 2019. He went on to play in 42 games in Philly and recorded 19 starts before the Broncos inked him to a one-year contract in 2022.
The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder dazzled and impressed during his first year in Denver, leading the team in tackles (163), 101 of which were solo, and logged six tackles for a loss, three QB hits, one forced fumble, and three passes defended. Singleton’s services will be in high demand this March as he’ll be an unrestricted free agent looking for a long-term home and contract commitment.
Keep in mind that linebacker Jonas Griffith will be returning from a foot injury and is an exclusive rights free agent who can only deal with the Broncos if they choose to tender him.
Then there’s the fact that Paton hasn’t drafted a linebacker in the last two seasons — other than Baron Browning, who was converted to the outside after an outstanding rookie campaign. Remember, Cincinnati's Logan Wilson and Jacksonville's Chad Muma were both available to the Broncos in their respective draft classes out of Wyoming, just up the road from Denver.
Paton passed on both. Currently, the Broncos only have six draft picks in the upcoming NFL draft, which will come at the end of April after free agency.
Come hell or high water, Paton must address the linebacker position in both free agency and the draft. It would behoove him to consider a ‘Bash Brothers’ reunion in 2023 by re-signing Singleton as soon as possible while drafting a developmental prospect for the future.
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