LB Quay Walker would help improve the Broncos run defense

Denver’s linebacker corps could be gutted this off-season. Captain Alex Singleton and special-teams stalwart Justin Strnad are both scheduled for unrestricted free agency, while veteran Dre Greenlaw’s name has surfaced as a possible cap casualty. If those departures materialize, the Broncos will be shopping for a new anchor in the middle of their defense, and one of the most intriguing names on the open market is Green Bay’s Quay Walker.

The 25-year-old former first-round pick has started 57 games since 2022, compiling 469 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and 17 pass breakups. In 2024 alone he logged 128 tackles, eight TFLs, 2.5 sacks and five passes defensed in 14 starts. At 6-4, 240 pounds with 4.5 speed, Walker offers the downhill burst and sideline-to-sideline range that defensive coordinator Vance Joseph prioritizes in his pressure-heavy scheme.

Denver finished 2024 with a respectable run defense, but Walker would represent a clear upgrade over Singleton in terms of raw athleticism and playmaking ability. He has worn the communication headset for Green Bay and handled play-calling duties, experience that would be valuable if Singleton departs. The Broncos project to have ample cap space and a glaring need at linebacker, making Walker a logical target when the negotiating window opens.

The Packers would like to retain their young core as they remain in a Super Bowl window, yet re-signing Walker is no certainty. Should he reach free agency, Denver is expected to be among the suitors willing to pay premium dollars for a run-stopping specialist.

The biggest knock on Walker is coverage. Despite elite size and speed, he has never developed into a reliable matchup piece against athletic tight ends or backs, limiting his every-down value in a pass-heavy league. For a Broncos defense that has already struggled to cover from the second level, that flaw gives the front office pause.

Still, in an era when offenses are increasingly committed to the ground game—Buffalo’s divisional-round pounding of Denver served as a fresh reminder—an attacking linebacker who can limit yards before contact has merit. Walker would not fix all of Denver’s second-level issues, yet he would solidify a run front that must contend with physical AFC West attacks.

Denver may ultimately pursue a more complete coverage linebacker, but if the price is palatable, Walker’s downhill skill set, youth and first-round pedigree would immediately raise the unit’s floor. For a defense seeking both a culture reset and a talent infusion, the former Packer offers a high-upside gamble the Broncos can afford to consider.