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The Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL
Arguably the best.
It goes without saying that there aren’t many “needs” on that side of the ball for the Broncos. But one of them remains: Middle linebacker.
Despite the Broncos signing Dre Greenlaw last offseason, the need remains. There are questions whether Greenlaw will even return to Denver, given the inability to get and stay on the field.
One player the Broncos could look into is one Sean Payton knows quite well, Alex Anzalone.
Given that history and Denver’s need for middle linebackers, Anzalone could be the ideal fit. It’s one of those low-risk, high-reward plays in NFL free agency.
Player Profile
Height: 6-3
Weight: 234 pounds
Experience: 9 NFL seasons
Age: 31
2025 stats: 95 tackles (52 solo), 2.5 sacks, 1 interception, 9 passes defended
Why the Broncos should sign linebacker Alex Anzalone
There are times in NFL free agency when a fit is natural. It makes too much sense.
Anzalone coming to Denver is one of those situations.
In other words, boxes must get checked.
The Broncos clearly have the need.
There’s a history between the free agent and the head coach. Thus, there’s familiarity.
The question is whether familiarity and history bring forth a reunion in Denver. And if Anzalone even hits free agency.
Anzalone was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by Payton and the New Orleans Saints. The first four years of his NFL career were spent with Payton in New Orleans. After Payton stepped away from the Saints in 2020, so too did Anzalone.
The middle linebacker signed with the Detroit Lions in March of 2021 when he reconnected with former Payton assistants Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn. Anzalone has played the last five years in Detroit.
If Payton likes a player from his time with the Saints, he has shown repeatedly that he will reconnect with them in Denver. So there’s no doubt the Broncos will look into Anzalone.
Talk of history and familiarity aside, Anzalone is a damn good linebacker. Last season with the Lions, Anzalone recorded 95 tackles (52 solo) and 2.5 sacks. He’s already around the ball and makes plays. He’s also a leader.
Anzalone would make Denver’s defense better in an instant.
Why the Broncos shouldn’t sign linebacker Alex Anzalone
At this point, it appears as if Anzalone will hit free agency. While returning to Detroit is always possible, he will hit the market.
While there is a connection between Anzalone and Payton, there’s also one between the New York Jets and Glenn. At that point, it will come down to money and whether Anzalone wants to win. For the latter, Anzalone would join a team that was a game away from the Super Bowl and could be the piece on defense to put it over the top.
However, Denver may not throw as much money or years at the Jets. On top of being far from competing for a championship, this is also one of the worst franchises in sports. New York has a knack for overpaying to make splash signings in free agency. This could be one of those moves.
This also assumes the Broncos have an interest in Anzalone, which we don’t. Or vice versa. And even if there is, you still have to agree to a contract that benefits the team and the player.
There will also be interest in Anzalone throughout the league. ESPN had a story on free agency buzz on Sunday, walking through what reporters are hearing. That included Anzalone.
From the story on who the top “sleeper” free agents could be:
“Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone: Scouts and coaches like him more than the public. He has a market.”
Final thoughts
Anzalone and the Broncos seem like a natural fit. On paper. There’s a need to pair with the familiarity and history.
But we know these things don’t always align in reality since there are so many other factors at play that we don’t know about.
If there’s interest for both Anzalone and Denver to come together, a partnership could happen when free agency starts. And both sides would benefit.
This one of those ultimate low-risk, high-reward moves for the Broncos … if they can make it work.