The Denver Broncos might have a new-look inside linebackers room when the 2024 NFL Season begins, and it might be without Josey Jewell. Jewell is a fine linebacker. He's a solid, old-school type of player, but nothing special. The former Iowa Hawkeye has been with the Broncos since being drafted by John Elway in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
He's been a full-time starter with the team since 2020, but missed most of the 2021 NFL Season with a torn pectoral. Across his starting career with the Broncos, Jewell has averaged 74 tackles, three sacks, and six tackles for loss across a 17-game season. The linebacker turns 30 in 2024, so his age is also beginning to be a factor.
Solid extension.
— Todd R (@ToddRetired) February 15, 2024
With the team recently re-signing Jonas Griffith, that could signal the team has plans to let Jewell sign with another team in free agency. Let's cover three potential destinations for The Outlaw in 2024.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Perhaps the most obvious spot, the Philadelphia Eagles defense took a nosedive in 2023 after being a dominant unit in 2022. The team parted ways with former defensive coordinator Sean Desai and brought in former Broncos head coach Vic Fangio to run the show. Fangio and Jewell worked together in Denver from 2019-2021, and the Broncos boasted some stingy defenses during Fangio's tenure.
Couple that with the Eagles not having consistent ILB play in 2023, and it's abundantly clear how Jewell signing with Philly makes a load of sense. And honestly, good for him if this comes true; the Eagles have won a ton of games in recent years and are a playoff-caliber team, which is something Josey Jewell has not experienced during his time in the NFL.
2. New Orleans Saints
Perhaps Josey Jewell could go play for his former defensive coordinator in New Orleans. Jewell arrived in Denver in 2018, and the Broncos' DC at the time was Joe Woods, who holds the same role with the New Orleans Saints at the moment. With the Saints likely stuck in a place where they are planning to try to run it back, signing a savvy, veteran player makes sense.
The team handed Derek Carr a ton of money last offseason, and they cannot get out of his contract until after the 2025 NFL Season, so for the next two years, the Saints might try to continue to load up their roster until Carr inevitably gets cut. Josey Jewell should have some familiarity with Woods' defensive scheme, so this could be a logical fit.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As of now, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are slated to have both Lavonte David and Devin White hit the free agent market this offseason. They might be in a position to restock this room. Devin White requested a trade last offseason, so I don't think he or the Buccaneers have much interest in each other.
Lavonte David is also 34 years old, so at some point, change will be needed there. The Bucs shocked the NFL in 2023, going 9-8, winning the NFC South, and winning a playoff game. The team is surely going to make a huge effort to re-sign Baker Mayfield, as the NFC South is a pretty weak division, so the Bucs should have a very good chance as repeating as division champs in 2024.
Josey Jewell would simply fill a free agency need for the team and would ideally lessen the blow of them potentially losing both David and White.