Dre Greenlaw’s Struggles in Denver Raise Concerns About $31.5 Million Investment
The Denver Broncos were one of the biggest surprises in football last season, winning 10 games and making it to the playoffs in spite of fielding a rookie quarterback.
The Broncos then doubled down and made some huge additions during the offseason, which has some labeling them a major sleeper in the AFC. However, one of Denver's biggest acquisitions might already be a disappointment.
The Broncos signed linebacker Dre Greenlaw to a three-year, $31.5 million contract in free agency, hoping he would bolster an already fearsome front seven. They knew there was risk involved, as Greenlaw tore his Achilles in the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers in February 2024 and has barely played since.
But, because Denver knows what Greenlaw can do when he is healthy, it decided to sign him to a multi-year contract.
Unfortunately, Greenlaw suffered a quad injury back in April, an issue that has plagued him ever since. He was expected to be ready for the season opener, but now, he has been ruled out for the Broncos' Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, via Nick Kosmider of The Athletic.
Greenlaw returned to the field with the 49ers late last year, but it didn't take him long to sustain a calf injury that placed him back on the sideline.
Denver handed Greenlaw $11.5 million in guaranteed money, so his deal is heavily laced with incentives.
However, the Broncos were expecting the 28-year-old to represent a significant part of their defense in 2025.
The fact that Greenlaw is already having difficulty getting back onto the football field is certainly not a good omen moving forward.
In his last healthy campaign in 2023, Greenlaw racked up 120 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four passes defended. He is a terrific player when he is available, so hopefully, he can make a full recovery for Denver.
But clearly, the early returns are not looking great.
Davenport Hits Back at Critics, Vows to Prove His Worth for Lions
Detroit Lions defensive end Marcus Davenport has certainly heard the many vocal critics who have expressed online that they do not trust he can remain healthy.
Also, the team has avoided signing or trading for other high-priced, big-name defensive ends, in large part due to the trust the front office and coaching staff has in the former first-round NFL draft pick.
Speaking with MLIVE after practice on Friday, Davenport revealed that he is impacted and his family is impacted by the criticisms he has faced.
“Shoot, of course I care. Man, look, I got a heart. My family reads stuff," said Davenport. "And then there’s the other aspect: (expletive) em’. Honestly, I don’t want to say I get mad, but most people that talk (expletive), I will not trade places with.”
Last year, Davenport missed a large portion of the season after he injured his elbow against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3.
Despite his injury being a fluke play, supporters still do not believe the team has enough depth behind Aidan Hutchinson.
With the former Michigan Wolverines defender poised to have another solid season, many believe the team only needs one more proven pass-rusher, to be able to get over the hump when the playoffs start.
"I think he's a really good player. And I think sometimes the injuries get to give them a knock on him. But it's football. It's a collision sport. People run into each other, they get hurt," said defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers. "So, it's just part of it. So the thing with him, he wants to take all the reps. He never wants to come off the field. He's just a really true, hard-nosed football player."
The coaching staff has praised Davenport for excelling in many defensive packages the team worked on all throughout training camp.
"There’s nothing more that he needs to show me," Dan Campbell said earlier this week. "I know he can do it all. He’s doing everything he can to take care of his body, and he went through a rigorous offseason to try to help all of that, which is a credit to him to put in the work. He’s in a good place right now. Him opposite of (Aidan Hutchinson) Hutch, it’s pretty good right now. So, I think if he continues on the trajectory he’s at right now and take it one day at a time. I’m glad we got him.”
