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Broncos Cut Wide Receiver, Add A Linebacker In Latest Moves
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- Broncos Cut Wide Receiver, Add A Linebacker In Latest Moves
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Denver Broncos made a pair of moves involving former UFL players as they announced the signing of linebacker Ron Stone Jr. and releasing wide receiver Hakeem Butler , with the moves reported by Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk and Jeff Legwold of ESPN.
Cutting Butler was a surprising move given that he came to camp as the offensive player of the year in the UFL, and his size and athleticism was seen as a possible complement to possession receiver Courtland Sutton , with the roster spot of Lil'Jordan Humphrey seemingly in jeopardy.
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But it didn't work out that way, as Humphrey maintained his spot and Butler simply couldn't compete against the Denver's smaller established receivers, with several having strong training camps.
The addition of Stone was a surprise as well, as he went from working out for the Broncos yesterday to signing a contract. He's another UFL product who played for the last two seasons for Columbus, per Legwold, and he had 5.5 sacks last season.
Legwold added that Stone showed some veteran savvy in his first practice, with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph commenting on what he brings to the table.
"This kid is smart, he's tough ... He made a couple plays," Joseph said. "I was surprised, he even peeled (off) on a pressure after a 10-minute meeting (about it) 40 minutes before practice,'' defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said after practice.
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Stone also played with the Michigan Panthers in the spring of 2025, per Williams, and he had 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss. He originally signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent back in 2024, but the Raiders waived him with an injury designation when they cut down their roster at the end of camp.
The Broncos have plenty of linebackers, but coach Sean Payton loves to push his players with competition, and Payton has been talking up the UFL during the offseason as a possible source of talent, especially after the Broncos' lackluster showing in their 33-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers in their second preseason game.
The unspoken side of this move is about the depth equation at linebacker. Jonathon Cooper has his next court date in less than a week, and the NFL will almost certainly hand out some kind of suspension based on Cooper's pair of arrests related to a domestic violence incident back in June. The depth chart could be changing, with Stone a parf of the mix going forward.
