{
  "id": 1269808,
  "title": "8 free agent linebackers Broncos could sign after Levelle Bailey injury",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/8-free-agent-linebackers-broncos-could-sign-after-levelle-bailey",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T12:45:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/8-free-agent-linebackers-broncos-124538094.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Denver Broncos currently have Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad as their starting inside linebackers, but both have faced injuries throughout their careers. The team's next layer of depth in this position are unproven free agents Levelle Bailey, Karene Reid, Jordan Turner, and rookies Red Murdock and Taurean York. After Bailey fractured his leg during Friday's preseason game, the Broncos are searching for additional experienced veterans to bolster their linebacker corps.\n\nHere are eight free agent linebackers the Broncos could consider signing:\n\n1. Kenneth Murray, a 27-year-old former first-round pick with 497 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 90 career games.\n2. Bobby Okereke, a 30-year veteran with 805 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 110 games.\n3. Germaine Pratt, a 30-year-long-time Bengals linebacker with 742 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 112 games.\n4. Matt Milano, a 32-year-old former All-Pro with 571 tackles and 14 sacks in 106 games.\n5. Josey Jewell, a 31-year career backup who spent six years with the Broncos before joining the Carolina Panthers.\n6. Shaq Thompson, a 32-year veteran with 808 tackles and 13 sacks in 135 games.\n7. Eric Kendricks, a 34-year Pro Bowler and former All-Pro with 1,180 tackles and 21.5 sacks in 150 games.\n8. Bobby Wagner, a 36-year Super Bowl champion, 11-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowler with 2,000 career tackles and 39.5 sacks in 219 games.",
  "summary": "Should the Broncos sign a veteran linebacker to shore up their depth at the position?",
  "key_points": [
    "Broncos face injury crisis at linebacker position",
    "Eight free agents could bolster corps after Bailey injury",
    "Prospects include seasoned veterans and experienced backups"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}