The Denver Broncos made only one move on Tuesday before the trading deadline, and it was to bring in standout inside linebacker Daiyan Henley from the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a fourth-round selection in 2027 and a fifth-round selection in 2028. Immediate reports suggest that Henley will back up the starting duo of Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, both of whom have been Denver's starters for the better chunk of the past two seasons.
Defense has long been a strength for the Broncos, but perhaps their one weakness was their play up the middle, even with Singleton as the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Month.
Singleton has been playing better of late, and Strnad has had a good year, but both of their futures remain in question heading into 2027. Singleton will be in yet another contract year (and will turn 34) during the 2027 season. Strnad will be 31 all next season, but has a little bit more of a contractual guarantee, as he is signed through the 2028 season. Either way, neither option is exactly a spring chicken.
The Denver Broncos found their long-term answer at inside linebacker in Daiyan Henley
Henley, 26, was entering the final year of his initial rookie contract with the Chargers, but will now look towards the next chapter of his career in Denver. That might begin with immediate depth, but considering the new contract he could be in line for, and the fact that he is significantly younger than any of the other Broncos linebackers, he is the immediate answer for their future at the position.
Assuming the Broncos extend Henley, and there is no reason to believe that they won't, he immediately becomes the leading candidate to be Denver's starter up the middle next year. Beyond his skill and youth, another major factor works in his favor in this regard: he has experience as a signal caller. Henley was the Chargers' green dot prior to the trade, meaning that he relayed play calls from the defensive coordinator to his unit on the field.
One of the major reasons that the Broncos have held onto Singleton as a starter up the middle has been his experience and comfort as the green dot for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Strnad has no experience in that role, which has also led to Singleton getting top reps at inside backer, but that could all change with Henley now entering the fold.
In a more aggressive scenario, Singleton's change might come this season. The Broncos are on the hunt for a consecutive top seed in the AFC playoff picture, but will have to face a few strong offenses before doing so. Henley profiles as an uber-athletic pass defender, which could help him match up well with the Pittsburgh Steelers and their stable of tight ends, as well as the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills.
Notably, Singleton has been a liability in pass coverage for some time now. It hurt the Broncos last year and almost came back to bite them in the AFC Divisional Round against the Bills, highlighted by Dalton Knox's team-leading 87 receiving yards.
Singleton has remained a strong and aggressive tackler, highlighted by his forced fumble in that game, but his overall play has taken a few steps backwards since his initial season in Denver. With only one year left on his deal and Henley now in the fold, it is fair to question whether this could be Singleton's final year with the Broncos.
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