Copyright Heavy.
The Denver Broncos had to wait for one of their biggest offseason investments to pay off, but it certainly has. Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw had his tenure interrupted and his regular-season debut delayed by injuries, but he has grabbed attention since returning. Greenlaw joined the Broncos to help shore up their coverage at the second level of their defense. His knack for making the right play is only overshadowed by his big-play ability. Both showed up against the Houston Texans in Week 9. Sean Payton Praises Dre Greenlaw After Broncos Beat Texans Broncos head coach Sean Payton spoke with the media on Monday, and he lauded what Greenlaw has brought to the team, noting much of it is unquantifiable. “He brings an element, just a toughness, a competitiveness. It’s hard to put on paper. He’s extremely physical, and I think he plays with such good pad level and leverage. He’s a great tackler,” Payton told reporters on November 3. “It’s good to have him in the lineup. It was tough waiting and making that decision. But, [in] hindsight, it was worth it. As encouraging, Greenlaw is getting more playing time as he gets healthier. “Dre Greenlaw played in 27 defensive snaps against the Texans,” DNVR Sports’ Zac Stevens noted in a post on X on November 3. He played in 21 snaps in his first game, so an increase in his second.” Greenlaw has an extensive injury history, so keeping him on the field remains the Broncos’ greatest challenge. The Broncos already know what Greenlaw can do when he is on the field. Dre Greenlaw Grabs Attention DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla noted Greenlaw had 8 tackles during the contest despite his still-limited snaps. “Broncos LB Dre Greenlaw was everywhere on Denver’s first goal-line stand against the Texans,” DiLalla posted on X on November 3. “Three consecutive snaps from the 1-yard line, three consecutive tackles for Greenlaw. “Welcome back, No. 57.” Greenlaw also recorded a sack against the Texans, his first since the 2023 season with the San Francisco 49ers. “Dre Greenlaw pretty much, single handedly, kept 4 points off the board in yesterday’s goal line stand,” “Let’s Talk Broncos” host Joey Richards posted. “What a ridiculous sequence of plays he had.” Greenlaw signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract in free agency this past offseason. Former NFL defensive back and Super Bowl champion Jason McCourty called Greenlaw a “huge addition” to the Broncos in a post on X on November 3, citing that goal-line stand. Dre Greenlaw Delivers on Pregame Message Greenlaw missed the Broncos’ Week 8 win over the Dallas Cowboys due to a one-game suspension incurred over an altercation with an NFL official during a game against the New York Giants in Week 7. He spoke candidly about missing that contest, but also about wanting to deliver a big game against the Texans. “I just shouldn’t have put my teammates and the team in that position. That was just a emotional game. First game back, just turnt,” Greenlaw told reporters on October 30. “Anytime you got a game, you want to be out there. But, just whip the Texans. That’s all I can think of. So, I’ve been watching them all week.” The Texans lost quarterback C.J. Stroud to a concussion.
