NFL Exec Sounds Off on Dre Greenlaw as Broncos Teammate Pays Price

Dre Greenlaw will miss the Denver Broncos’ tilt against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 while serving a one-game suspension stemming from his alleged use of threatening language with an NFL official in Week 7 against the New York Giants.

He is not the only Broncos player who was punished in that fracas, and the NFL is standing firm in its decision.

The league already upheld Greenlaw’s suspension following the veteran’s appeal.

NFL EVP Sounds Off on Dre Greenlaw

NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent argued that Dreenlaw’s actions were “selfish” and have “no place in the game.”

Vincent, who played 15 years in the NFL, said that Greenlaw should have been celebrating Broncos teammates Bo Nix and Wil Lutz, not seeking out an official. He said that referee Brad Allen did not reveal what Greenlaw said, but that they acted based on his recommendation.

Still, Vincent cited “abusive” and “threatening language” as the basis for Greenlaw’s suspension.

“We’ve been talking about sportsmanship for a few years. It’s the core of our game. And here, as a player, this is a great moment to celebrate. Celebrate the victory,” Vincent told Mike Florio on “Pro Football Talk” on October 23. “This is selfish.

“To run and chase somebody down, just – we’re just better than that. The game’s better than that. We know that’s not being coached, and it was – it just rose to that level.”

Greelaw is eligible to return in Week 9, when the Broncos face the Houston Texans.

Broncos Stand Behind Dre Greenlaw

Broncos head coach Sean Payton said the team stands behind Greenlaw. That was after the suspension was upheld. Payton also drew a penalty during the game after he entered the field of play, protesting a defensive pass interference call on cornerback Riley Moss.

Vincent said that questions about what Greenlaw said should be directed at the linebacker and his head coach.

“We all saw some of the contact, but we really focused in on someone who wasn’t even involved in the play,” Vincent said. “That situation … puts everybody in a bind. Because now you’re in a hearing and you’re the PA, who can defend what we saw? Celebrate the victory. It’s so hard to win during this time on the game day, and there’s just no place, no place in the game for that.”

Vincent relayed advice from Hall of Fame Willie Lanier to not let the game be a “blood sport.”

“‘It’s a sport played by professionals. Everyone wants the same thing. They want to … play hard, have success. Individual [and] team success. But you cannot allow certain things,’” Vincent said.

“Go at one another in between the whistles and, after the game, you shake hands, you pray together, and you move on to the next week.”

Justin Strnad Fined for Making Contact With NFL Official

Greenlaw was not the only Broncos player to feel the NFL’s wrath, with linebacker Justin Strnad receiving a fine for making contact with Allen, who was attempting to escape a celebratory swarm around Lutz, before the official’s interaction with Greenlaw.

“There was some contact with, I think it was Justin, No. 40, and each one of those are just isolated,” Vincent said. “He’ll be held accountable. So, that will come in fine for him.”

Fortunately for the Broncos, Strnad started the first six games in Greenlaw’s place.

Browns matchup against the Patriots could be make-or-break game for Dillon Gabriel

The Cleveland Browns currently sit at 2-5, with one of the league’s hottest teams in the New England Patriots coming up this week. 

If the Browns lose, hope in the season will further dwindle. A win though could change everything. If Cleveland steals this game, they enjoy a bye week next week. Then they started an easier stretch of the schedule, with a chance to save the season.

While beating the Patriots will be no small task, the game plan to win will likely revolve around a rookie desperate to prove himself, quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

So far, Gabriel hasn’t done much to impress. He’s been able to manage games, complete short passes and, most importantly, avoid turnovers. His weakness has been pushing the ball downfield. He’s had a limited number of deep strikes, and the few he has attempted have been inaccurate. 

In a win against the Miami Dolphins, Gabriel tossed just 116 yards and no touchdowns. He has only thrown two touchdowns so far, with both coming in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

This will be a game where Gabriel needs to prove he can lead the Browns. The Patriots have a strong defense, but their weakness has been in the passing game. 

New England has the third best rushing defense in the NFL this season, allowing just 77.1 yards per game to opposing backfields. Rookie Quinshon Judkins has been amazing so far in Cleveland, but this will be one of his toughest tests this season. Cleveland has been trying to rely more on Judkins to run this offense, but this game will have to run through Gabriel.

Meanwhile, the Patriots rank just 24th in passing defense, allowing 235.7 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks. The team has also allowed over 20 points in four games this season, something the Browns will have to do if they want a chance to win.

 Outside of star corner Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots secondary has been a weakness. Three starters have given up at least two touchdowns this season. Six opposing pass catchers have gone for over 90 yards against them this year.

No Browns have had more than 85 yards this season. The best individual receiving game for Cleveland this year was rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who caught seven passes for 81 yards against Pittsburgh. Cleveland's top wideout Jerry Jeudy's best game was a 66 yard performance in week one, with Joe Flacco throwing the ball.

This will be a key test for the Browns young quarterback. If Gabriel can prove he can let that ball fly, and hit his receivers for chunk plays, perception on the young quarterback will shift. 

If Gabriel struggles and the offense feels limited once again, questions will arise on his legitimacy as a starting caliber quarterback.

If the Browns offense falls flat, it won’t be the end for Gabriel right away. He’ll still get a few more weeks to try and turn it around. However, real discussion about bringing in a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders will be had in Cleveland’s front office.

Browns’ Latest QB Workout Sparks Shedeur Sanders Speculation

On Friday, the Cleveland Browns conducted several player workouts, among them a session with an ex-quarterback from the Jacksonville Jaguars. That move has led to more speculation about Shedeur Sanders.

According to Zac Jackson of The Athletic, the team evaluated Seth Henigan, a 22-year-old undrafted prospect from Memphis who had signed with the Jaguars earlier in 2025.

Also among those auditioning for Cleveland was wideout Brenden Rice, previously with USC and the offspring of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

The Browns presently roster four quarterbacks, counting rookie starter Dillon Gabriel and rookie backup Sanders. Bailey Zappe occupies a practice-squad spot and functions as the third-string or emergency option for game days, while Deshaun Watson remains on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List while recovering from two Achilles tendon ruptures.

Offensive specialist and play-caller Kevin Stefanski leads the Browns and might opt to keep an additional quarterback on the practice squad. The club could also be eyeing Henigan as a potential upgrade over Zappe in the third-string role.

Recent trade chatter has centered on Sanders as the NFL’s Nov. 4 deadline approaches, a factor that might influence Cleveland’s strategy if management is seriously contemplating dealing the fifth-round selection without him ever taking a regular-season snap.

Henigan measures 6-foot-3, 215 pounds. Over four seasons as Memphis’s starting quarterback (50 contests), he connected on 64% of his throws for 14,226 yards and 104 passing touchdowns.

More than likely, Sanders will not be dealt before the upcoming NFL trade deadline. However, it’s not a guarantee that he will remain with the Browns.

Expect to continue hearing rumors surrounding the former Colorado standout. Should Cleveland make a move to sign someone like Henigan, the rumors would get extremely loud.

 

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