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Broncos retaining key linebacker on $18 million contract
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The Denver Broncos should be active in NFL free agency. Denver should be proud after making it all the way to the AFC Championship in 2025. Now the Broncos could set themselves up for a big season in 2026 by making a few key additions. Denver started by retaining one key piece of their defense who was set to hit free agency.
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The Broncos have re-signed linebacker Justin Strnad on a three-year contract worth $18 million , per NFL insider James Palmer.
"The #broncos are bringing back a key member of their defense. LB Justin Strnad is returning to Denver on a 3 year deal worth 18 million with 10 million guaranteed. 5.1 million is guaranteed at signing per sources," Palmer wrote. "A smart player that had options elsewhere."
Strnad played a big role for the Broncos in 2025. He played roughly half of Denver's defensive snaps, and contributed on special teams, while filling in for Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton . Strnad logged 58 total tackles along with four-and-a-half sacks, one interception, and three passes defensed.
The Broncos drafted Strnad in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Strnad signed one-year deals in Denver in each of the past two offseasons. But his most recent contract extension could keep him in Denver for the rest of his career.
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Strnad is currently 29 years old. However, he will turns 30 years old just before the start of the 2026 regular season.
He will be entering his age 33 offseason at the end of his new contract extension.
Will the Justin Strnad extension impact the Broncos' plans in free agency?
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
One player who could be impacted by Strnad's new contract is Singleton.
The veteran linebacker is an impending free agent who has dealt with several medical issues over the past two years. Singleton missed the 2024 season with a torn ACL . He also battled through a thumb injury in 2025 because being diagnosed with testicular cancer .
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Ultimately, it would not be surprising to see Denver move on from the 32-year-old linebacker because of his injury history.
It will be exciting to see which moves Denver makes in NFL free agency over the next few weeks.
Related: NFL rumors: Broncos, Chiefs to engage in AFC West free agency battle for Travis Etienne Jr.
Related: Sean Payton's 'fired up' response to Raiders trading Maxx Crosby to Ravens
