Report: Broncos Bring Back Starting LB on One-Year Contract

Strnad returns for a sixth season in Denver.

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Justin Strnad (40) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) in the third quarter of the NFL game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. / Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Denver Broncos have retained another of its own, re-signing inside linebacker Justin Strnad to a fully guaranteed one-year, $2.7 million contract, 9NEWS' Mike Klis reported Wednesday.

The deal was confirmed straight from the horse's mouth.

“They told me I’m going to compete to be a starter. Another year," Strnad relayed to Klis.

What happens next on the Broncos beat? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second, sign up for our free newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

A 2020 fifth-round pick, Strnad returns for his sixth season in Denver. The Wake Forest product has totaled 119 combined tackles (79 solo), five quarterback hits, three sacks, and three pass deflections across 67 career appearances.

Primarily a backup and special-teamer, Strnad, 28, was forced into a full-time starting role in 2024 after ILB Alex Singleton suffered a season-ending knee injury. He finished the year as Pro Football Focus' No. 78 linebacker among 84 qualifiers.

"[He's] not only a good player, but [he's] an even better person," former Broncos ST coordinator Ben Kotwica said last October. "So when you do transition a little bit from playing more on special teams to the defense, there's more on your plate."

With Singleton still on the mend, Strnad could well compete for the right to start opposite newly-minted acquisition Dre Greenlaw, who landed a $35 million pact from the Broncos on Monday. Behind them on the depth chart are Drew Sanders and Levelle Bailey.

"We think Sanders can be a starter in this league at linebacker," Broncos general manager George Patont said at the Scouting Combine in February. "Now let’s see how it goes. We’re going to keep adding good players. Competition—we just want competition at all of the positions. We’re not anointing anyone starters, but we just want to keep bringing in competition and we’ll get good results.”

Strnad is the fifth in-house free agent to re-sign with Denver amid the NFL's legal tampering period. The club also brought back defensive lineman D.J. Jones, quarterback Jarrett Stidham, offensive tackle Matt Peart, and long snapper Mitch Fraboni.

Out-of-house, the Broncos have inked Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga, and wide receiver Trent Sherfield ahead of the start of the 2025 league year.

feed

---

Follow Denver Broncos On SI/Mile High Huddle on Instagram, X, and Facebook and subscribe on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!