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Broncos roster: LB Justin Strnad (No. 40) returns as a key starter
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- Broncos roster: LB Justin Strnad (No. 40) returns as a key starter
Broncos Wire 's 91-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at seventh-year inside linebacker Justin Strnad , No. 40.
Before the Broncos :Strnad (6-3, 245 pounds) attended Wake Forest for four years from 2016-19. As a member of the Demon Deacons, Strnad played in 46 games, making 244 total tackles (145 solo, 99 assisted, 22.5 tackles for loss), eight sacks, four interceptions, 10 pass deflections, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. After college, Strnad was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round (178th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft.
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Broncos tenure:Strnad missed his entire rookie season after being placed on the season-ending IR with a wrist injury. In 2021, Strnad saw action in 16 games (five starts), making 36 total tackles (23 solo, 13 assisted) in his first taste of pro action. Strnad saw limited action on defense in 2022 and 2023, making only 10 total tackles in that time. His first real long-term service came in 2024, where he started eight of 17 games, making 73 total tackles (48 solo, 25 assisted, eight tackles for loss), three sacks, and three pass deflections.
In 2025, Strnad was the beneficiary of an injury-riddled linebacker room ( Drew Sanders-foot , Dre Greenlaw-thigh ) and he began the season starting alongside Alex Singleton in the middle of the field. When Greenlaw was suspended following the Broncos ' miraculous 33-32 win over the New York Giants (a game in which Strnad had a crucial interception ), Strnad again took the field. Strnad played in 16 regular season contests (eight starts), as well as Denver's two playoff games, making 62 total tackles (24 solo, 38 assisted, five tackles for loss), 4.5 sacks, three pass deflections and an interception last fall. Prior to the start of 2026 free agency, the Broncos re-signed Strnad on a three-year, $18 million contract.
Chances to make the 53-man roster:Near lock. Strnad will be a starter in the middle of the field alongside Alex Singleton, thanks in large part to the team releasing Greenlaw . While Singleton will likely wear the green dot in 2026, Strnad is a solid partner in crime who always seems to be flying around the field.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Justin Strnad returns as a key starting linebacker
