DENVER — One month before free agency, the Broncos were in a quandary at their inside linebacker position.
They have one of the best in Alex Singleton. But the other inside linebacker starter, Josey Jewell, is about to become an unrestricted free agent, as are the team's two next backups, Justin Strnad and Ben Neimann.
While Drew Sanders was selected in the third round of the 2023 draft with plans to eventually replace Jewell as a starting inside linebacker in 2024, his rookie season didn't play out that way. Sanders was more effective as an outside linebacker.
The Broncos moved to solidify some depth at their inside linebacker position Wednesday by signing back Jonas Griffith. Initially acquired from San Francisco following the 2021 training camp to become a core special teamer, Griffith flashed big-play ability at linebacker late that season for coach Vic Fangio and opened the 2022 season as a starter alongside Jewell for coach Nathaniel Hackett.
Griffith's development has been stunted by three serious injuries. He suffered a dislocated elbow in a 2022 preseason game. He returned to start eight of nine games to start the 2022 regular season but then suffered a foot injury during a midseason practice and missed the rest of the season. He was replaced by Singleton who took off and became the team's leading tackler.
Griffith, who just turned 27, was to be a top backup behind Singleton and Jewell during the 2023 season but suffered an ACL injury in training camp and missed the entire season.
An exclusive rights free agent, Griffith will receive the one-year, minimum $985,000 for 2024.
The Broncos are expected to discuss Jewell's situation with his agent Jack Bechta during the NFL Combine that will run Feb. 26 through March 4 in Indianapolis.
Jewell is one of eight Broncos' starters who are about to hit the open market when free agency opens March 13. The others are center Lloyd Cushenberry III, kicker Wil Lutz, safety P.J. Locke, tight end Adam Trautman, fullback Michael Burton, nose tackle Mike Purcell and cornerback Fabian Moreau.
Other Bronco unrestricted free agents include receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey, special teamer Dwayne Washington, offensive tackle Cam Fleming, Strnad, Niemann and nickelback K'Waun Williams, who missed all of last season with an ankle injury.
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