The Denver Broncos have the best roster in the AFC heading into the 2026 NFL Season, and with preseason right around the corner, it brings us one step closer to Week 1 when the team can begin to show off one of the best rosters in the sport.
Truly, the Broncos do not have a major weakness, but there are still some positions that just are not in a great spot right now. That could change, but one that continues to stick out like a sore thumb is inside linebacker.
The Broncos were able to re-sign both Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad this past offseason, but the team didn't pursue any of the top ILB free agents and only used a seventh-round pick and an undrafted free agent signing at the position as well as the re-signings. Well, the team was just named a fit for one of the more notable names left on the free agency market, but at this point, it's too little, too late.
Denver Broncos named a landing spot for ILB Bobby Wagner, but it's too late now
Here's Moe Moton's reasoning as to why free agent ILB Bobby Wagner would be a fit for the Broncos:
"In 2025, the Denver Broncos stifled opponents with their stingy defense. They allowed the third-fewest points and the second-fewest yards. The Broncos don't have a glaring weakness within their defensive unit, but they can upgrade at inside linebacker.
As a rotational defender, Justin Strnad has made strides over the last two seasons, recording 131 tackles (13 for loss), 7.5 sacks, six pass breakups and an interception. Yet he's only started in 21 out of 83 games in five campaigns. Alex Singleton is solid in run support, but he allowed four touchdowns and a 122.9 passer rating in coverage last year.
Bobby Wagner would solidify the Broncos' front seven. At 36, he can still cover a lot of ground in space. Last season, the six-time All-Pro recorded four pass breakups and two interceptions, while allowing an 89.5 passer rating in coverage.
The Broncos could pair Wagner alongside Strnad and bump Singleton into a backup role."
At this stage of the offseason, bringing in Wagner just would not make a ton of sense. The Broncos may actually have an overflow of linebackers at this point, as both Red Murdock and Taurean York have made some plays this offseason, and other notable players in the room include Karene Reid and Levelle Bailey.
And there is still a non-zero chance that Jonah Elliss could see snaps at the position in certain packages. If this was proposed earlier in the offseason before the Broncos made a series of ILB moves, it would make more sense, but at this point, the Broncos are going to have to ride with the group they've assembled this offseason.
Sure, Wagner wasn't horrific in coverage last year, but he's never really been a good coverage player and isn't getting any faster. The Broncos did see a ton of free agents at the position this offseason that they didn't want to pursue for some reason.
They also cut Dre Greenlaw after just one season. There's absolutely no doubt that Wagner is a future Hall of Famer, but if Denver made this signing, they'd likely have to part with one of their younger players who could at least present somewhat of a high ceiling.
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