Broncos Won’t Tender LB Steven Johnson, Becomes FA

The Denver Broncos have decided to let linebacker Steven Johnson test free agency, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post.

Johnson had become one of the Broncos better special teams players since making the team as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas, but he also started contributing to the defense in a big way at the end of last season as the Broncos struggled through a variety of injuries at the linebacker positions.

Johnson finished last season with 32 tackles and a recovered fumble and proved valuable in the third phase for the Broncos throughout his time in Denver. He may still return to the team, but the Broncos didn’t want to pay him what the restricted free agent tender would cost, so he will test the open market and could find a role with one of his former coaches around the league, John Fox in Chicago and Jack Del Rio in Oakland.

Kudos to Johnson for his hard work in making the Broncos’ roster, eventually starting a couple of games even if it was due to injury. He worked his tail off to make the team and do it as an undrafted player on one of the deepest rosters in the league back in 2012.

The Broncos gave Johnson a high UDFA signing bonus out of Kansas, so the scouting department obviously thought highly of him and we’ll wish him the best of luck moving forward.