The Denver Broncos defense was superb in 2025, but one of its glaring areas of need is the inside linebacker position. With starter Alex Singleton, ready-to-start backup Justin Strnad heading to free agency, and Dre Greenlaw lacking durability, the linebacker room needs an injection of talent.
An intriguing option for the Broncos in free agency is the Cleveland Browns’ impact linebacker Devin Bush. Bush was drafted in 2019 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, went to the Seahawks for a year in 2023, and has been a Cleveland Brown since 2024.
He really balled out in 2025, which comes as no surprise given that it was a contract year for him. He had two impressive pick-6s in 2025, snagging tipped passes against both the Ravens and the Bengals.
Player Profile
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 234 pounds
Experience: 7 NFL seasons
Age: 27
2025 stats: 125 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, 8 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles
OverTheCap projects his salary to be in the $15M range today
Why the Broncos should sign
I, for one, am getting tired of tight ends and running backs abusing the Broncos’ defense, which has been happening for years. While the inside linebacker position is one that you can spend light on and make do, the need to have good talent in order to slow down modern NFL offenses that attack coverage weaknesses by linebackers is paramount.
Bush can cover from the linebacker position. He would be an instant upgrade over the middle of the field to this already stalwart defense. He’s fast, strong, and reliable against both the run and the pass. He’s shown the capability to catch errant balls that float into his zone and is a playmaker.
If Vance Joseph likes the fit for Bush in this defense, this may be a guy that we can sign in order to make a significant upgrade to the middle of the Broncos’ defense.
Why the Broncos shouldn’t sign
The biggest reason not to sign Bush is that he’s the prototypical huge red flag of a player who bursts onto the scene when he’s finally headed to unrestricted free agency.
Bush’s history is riddled with injuries ranging from a torn ACL in 2020 to a groin injury in 2021 to a shoulder injury in 2023. The Broncos have already put a flyer on a linebacker with a riddled injury history in Dre Greenlaw, and it may be time to pay more money for a more reliable option at linebacker.
Will Bush sign a new contract and keep performing at the same level as he did in 2025? It may be a risky proposition that the Broncos may not like to roll the dice on in 2026.
Final thoughts
There is a good handful of linebacker free agents available this offseason, and I think the Broncos are going to sign one of them. The draft seems to have a lot of talent available at linebacker as well.
I like the fit of Bush in this defense. I think he would thrive under Vance Joseph in Denver and could be a linchpin in elevating this team to a Super Bowl contender in 2026. He’s got superb ability, instincts, and experience, and could easily become another star on this defense in Denver.