The Denver Broncos moved quickly in NFL free agency to address a key need at linebacker, inking former San Francisco 49ers standout Dre Greenlaw to a three-year, \$31.5 million deal on March 10. The signing was widely praised as a smart addition to an already formidable defense.
However, much of that early excitement overlooked a major red flag—Greenlaw played in just two games during the 2024 season after suffering a torn Achilles in the 49ers’ Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2024. Investing that kind of money in a player coming off such a significant injury was a bold gamble.
Now, that gamble looks even riskier. During team workouts on April 27, Greenlaw sustained another injury—one that’s raised more concern about his durability moving forward. According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan, the linebacker tore a quadriceps muscle, an injury that will require surgery and is expected to sideline him for part of the 2025 season.
For the Broncos, Greenlaw’s health has suddenly become a troubling storyline. What was once viewed as a savvy free-agent splash is now shadowed by uncertainty, as Denver must prepare to potentially open the season without one of its marquee offseason acquisitions.
Conflicting Reports on Greenlaw’s Injury
On the flip side, not everyone is sounding the alarm about Dre Greenlaw’s injury. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that the linebacker is expected to miss just two months, a far less severe timeline than initially feared. Adding to the optimism, KOA Sports Radio’s Benjamin Allbright also downplayed the concern, stating the injury is minor and won’t affect Greenlaw’s availability for the upcoming season.
“Source close to Greenlaw says it’s merely a strain, will NOT affect his season,” Allbright posted on his official X account on April 27, offering reassurance to worried fans.
Still, the situation remains murky. Neither Greenlaw nor the Broncos have made any public statements about the exact nature or severity of the injury, leaving fans and analysts alike speculating. The lack of clarity only adds to the growing unease around one of Denver’s most high-profile offseason acquisitions.
What’s clear, however, is the importance of stability at inside linebacker. If Greenlaw ends up sidelined longer than expected, Denver could be exposed at a critical spot. That’s why the Broncos might be wise to consider a trade for someone like Germaine Pratt, the Cincinnati Bengals linebacker reportedly unhappy with his current situation. Adding a proven playmaker could help ensure the middle of Denver’s defense remains a strength in 2025.
What Broncos Could Trade and What Pratt Might Cost
According to NFL.com insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, linebacker Germaine Pratt has requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals, making him the second major defensive star—alongside 2024 NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson—to ask out of the Queen City within the past year.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently named Pratt the No. 8 NFL trade candidate post-draft, citing his impressive production and durability. “Pratt should interest just about any team in need of a quality off-ball linebacker,” Knox wrote. The veteran linebacker recorded 143 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles during the 2024 season, and he’s played in at least 15 games every year since entering the league.
Originally a third-round pick out of NC State in the 2019 draft, Pratt has built a reputation as one of the league’s most productive inside linebackers. Over six seasons, he’s totaled 616 tackles, seven interceptions, 32 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. He’s set to earn \$5.6 million in 2025, the final year of a three-year, \$20.25 million deal signed in March 2023.
If the Broncos decide to pursue Pratt as insurance for Dre Greenlaw, who’s dealing with another injury concern, they may be able to kickstart trade talks with a 2026 third-round pick. Meanwhile, Greenlaw’s current backup, Drew Sanders, is still working his way back from an Achilles tear suffered in April 2024, making linebacker depth a growing concern in Denver.