Denver Broncos must make a move for one of these linebackers before Week 4

Denver Broncos must make a move for one of these linebackers before Week 4 originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Denver Broncos have started the 2025 season at 1-2 and, with a difficult schedule still ahead, are looking at the prospects of their season getting out of hand in a hurry. 

The Broncos need to do as much damage control as possible in the coming weeks as important games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles and both New York teams are on the docket in the next four weeks. Of primary concern for the team should be the inside linebacker position. 

It was considered a great area of need for the team during the offseason and that is why the Broncos acted quickly in signing Dre Greenlaw in free agency. The move was met with loud applause from Broncos Country, but it came with a bit of an asterisk due to Greenlaw's injury history. To this point, he has yet to do much of anything, including practice much, in a Broncos uniform. 

That led to the team placing him on injured reserve this past week, meaning the earliest we will see him on the field will be Week 7. 

Between now and then, the Broncos need more at the position and it's likely that even with Greenlaw on the field, the team still needs more options. Currently, the starters are Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad and they are backed up by Garrett Wallow and undrafted free agent Karene Reid. 

Levelle Bailey and Jordan Turner are on the practice squad, but adding another veteran presence seems to be necessary, particularly when you consider how poorly Singleton has played in the first three games. 

“Alex, first place in the division is on the line today!”

Alex Singleton: pic.twitter.com/2q2K1lkcsK

— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) September 21, 2025

Trades and free agents for Denver Broncos at inside linebacker

Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Broncos would be taking some risk in acquiring Cole Holcomb after a knee injury in the middle of the 2023 season nearly ended his career. He missed all of the 2024 season but has returned to the field this season and even forced a crucial fumble against the New England Patriots on Sunday. 

The Steelers have Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson on the roster, so Holcomb is a player they could part with. The Broncos could get him for a day three draft pick.

Troy Reeder, Los Angeles Rams

Troy Reeder is in his second stint with the Rams and sixth season overall. The arrival of Nate Landman in free agency relegated him to a reserve role and the Broncos should check in and see if they could nab him. Reeder is 31 but he is a savvy veteran player the Broncos could add for a seventh-round pick. 

Eric Kendricks, Free Agent

Eric Kendricks was once a second-round pick who spent eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before one-year stints with the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys. He is now 33 years old and a street free agent, but if he has kept in playing shape, the Broncos could add him to help shore up the depth. 

Kendricks has over 1,100 career tackles and was once one of the best coverage linebackers in the league. 

Kwon Alexander, Free Agent

This isn't a "fun" option, but it's a sensible one. The Broncos signed Kwon Alexander last season when they were struggling at inside linebacker and he made two starts for the team, registering eight tackles and a forced fumble. 

As the Broncos interchanged him between the practice squad and active roster, the Detroit Lions swooped in and signed him off the practice squad to help their playoff run. He played in just two games for them and is again a free agent. 

READ:These 3 plays loom large in Broncos' Week 3 loss

He is 31 years old now but could bring something to the team due to his experience, at least until Greenlaw can get back. 

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