DEAL AGREED: Broncos Have Agreed a Massive Deal With $33 Million Former Pro Bowler in Free Agency.

Bob Morris of Mile High Huddle says they would be “best” as exploring linebackers.

“There are some veterans out there who should be available for the veteran minimum,” Morris wrote on July 13. “A notable example is Kwon Alexander, who is a couple years removed from a crazy linebacker market that saw him sign a large contract. But that was then; now, Alexander would have to accept a lower-cost arrangement.”

Alexander played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, amassing 41 total tackles, 1.0 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and one recovery. He ruptured his Achilles in Week 10 of the season. However, he released footage of himself working out in May.
“The Broncos should allow [Cody] Barton, [Justin] Strnad, and [Jonas] Griffith to show that they can fill roles, but failing that, it wouldn’t hurt to add Alexander,” according to Morris.

Landing with the Broncos would reunite Kwon Alexander with Sean Payton.

Alexander entered the league as a fourth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2015 draft. He spent the first four seasons at Tampa Bay. Alexander rebounded from a PED suspension in 2015 with a 108-tackle season in 2016, earning Pro Bowl honours in 2017.

The 6-foot-1 linebacker tore his ACL in 2018, terminating his season and Bucs career.

Alexander, who turns 30 in August, spent the 2019 season and the first seven games of the 2020 season with the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers traded Alexander to the New Orleans Saints in November 2020. He spent the rest of the 2020 and 2021 seasons there, playing for now-Broncos head coach Sean Payton, before going on to the New York Jets in 2022.

According to Over The Cap, Alexander’s career earnings total $33.8 million.

Much of that stemmed from a four-year, $54 million contract deal he signed with the 49ers in 2019. His past three contracts were all for one year and totaled $3.7 million.

He is coming off a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. The Broncos have $7.6 million in cap space heading into training camp, according to OTC, so Alexander would fit if his previous contract trend continues.

Other LB Options the Broncos Should Consider in Free Agency

Morris also indicated that the Broncos look to Leighton Vander Esch, Zach Cunningham, and Josh Woods as potential replacements for the departing Josey Jewell. Jewell signed with the Carolina Panthers during free agency.

Following his release by the Dallas Cowboys in March, Vander Esch retired medically due to chronic neck issues.

Cunningham is the same age as Alexander and concluded the 2023 season in good health.

In 2023, he made 85 total tackles, four pass deflections, and one fumble recovery while playing 13 games (10 starts) for the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2017, the Houston Texans selected Cunningham in the second round, and he also played for the Tennessee Titans.

Woods, 28, recorded 61 tackles, one forced fumble, and 0.5 sacks for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023. He began his career as a UDFa with the Chicago Bears in 2018 and has previously played for the Detroit Lions.

However, the Broncos have a few internal possibilities to consider.

Incumbents Griffith and Strnad both signed new contracts during the 2024 offseason. Free agent pickup. Cody Barton was impressive in the offseason program. There is only one available seat, with Alex Singleton still filling the other inside backer position.