Broncos LB Dre Greenlaw Gets Honest After Polarizing Decision
Dre Greenlaw is set to return to the field for the Denver Broncos in Week 9 against the Houston Texans, and the veteran linebacker spoke candidly about his absence in Week 8 against the
Greenlaw served a one-game suspension for using what the league called “abusive language” towards official Brad Allen in Week 7, when the Broncos beat the New York Giants
Greenlaw is ready to show why the Broncos targeted him in free agency.
Dre Greenlaw Ready to Prove Broncos Right
Greenlaw met with the media on Thursday for the first time since the NFL upheld his suspension, which came without pay.
Despite his appeal, Greenlaw put the onus on himself to avoid situations that harm the team.
“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. And so, yeah,” Greenlaw told reporters
Greenlaw said “it felt good” making his debut in Week 7 after suffering a quad injury, which delayed his return to the field for the first time since Week 16 of the 2024 season with the
“The defense is already a really, really good defense,’’ Greenlaw said, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Thomasson. “We got top-notch guys from the back end to the front end. So the sky is the limit for what we have done and what we still got to do. We still got plenty more out there. … For me, it’s not about me coming in and trying to do more, be more or anything; it’s just about me going out there and being myself. That’s why they brought me here.”
Dre Greenlaw Left In Dark Over Suspension Trigger
Greenlaw, who inked a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Broncos in free agency this past offseason, said the league did not specify which part of what he said triggered the suspension.
“They just re-showed clips or whatever,” Greenlaw said. “They’re going to make their decision, and all you can do is just do what they tell you.”
The NFL executive vice president,
“People say, ‘Well, what did he say?’ I think we should ask Dre that. Maybe he shared with his coach what was actually shared. But there’s just no place in the game to run an official down after a game to share your feelings,” Vincent told Mike Florio on “
Broncos head coach Sean Payton pointed to past precedent, saying such interactions typically result in fines during his media availability
Vincent acknowledged the NFL made an example out of Greenlaw.
Dre Greenlaw Could Stay on Snap Count
GettyDenver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph gets to work with a re-tooled secondary in 2025.
Greenlaw said that he can “go all day” on Sunday, which would be a big boost for a Broncos defense that will be without All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II for several weeks due to a strained pectoral muscle.
However, the Broncos eased Greenlaw back into the lineup in his return, and they could continue with that plan in Week 9.
Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph praised Greenlaw, but offered a reality check.
“Mentally, he’s been awesome. He’s been locked in. He’s been studying. Even when he wasn’t practicing, he’s taking the walkthrough reps. He’s taking every walkthrough rep. So, mentally, he’s fine. Physically, obviously, he needs more reps to kind of get his football air. And he was a little tired Week [8], but um it’s good having him back. Again, you having your best players back is always a good thing,”
“He’s back on his schedule to kind of just keep moving forward, and playing good football, and keep practicing, and keep growing as a player. And to have a chance to play back-to-back weeks is going to be key for Dre, and that’s the goal.”
J.K. Dobbins Sends Strong Message on Broncos Future
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins says that the thought of a contract extension hasn’t crossed his mind, but he wants to stay regardless. “I hope to end my career here and be here for the rest of my time in the NFL. Far as extension and all that, though, I don’t think about that. … But,
“I hope to end my career here … I want to be in Denver. I love it. I love the fan base … I love Sean Payton. I love the owners … but I don’t think about the extension part,” Dobbins told Mason.
Why the Message Matters to Denver’s Timeline
GettyJ.K. Dobbins has been one of the most productive running backs in the league in 2025. How Denver values him going forward remains to be seen.
For the Broncos, the running back’s stance checks two important boxes at once. First, it cools down the short-term noise. When a player is asked about a new deal and answers with “I’m focused on ball,” it signals to the locker room that the priority is wins, not press conferences. Second, it frames the long-term conversation in the most team-friendly way possible: Dobbins is saying he wants to be here without putting the front office on the clock.
The 26-year-old Dobbins is also one of the leading rushers in the NFL right now. Through eight games, he has the third most rushing yards with 634 and an average of 5.3 yards per carry. He’s also added four touchdowns into that equation. He and
Fit With Sean Payton & the Backfield Plan
GettyJ.K. Dobbins has been a meaningful part of Denver’s early season rise to the top of the AFC.
Payton’s offenses — from New Orleans to Denver — prioritize backs who are decisive between the tackles, dependable in blitz pickup and useful on angle routes and screens. Dobbins checks those boxes, which is why his words carry extra weight. He isn’t merely saying nice things; he’s describing a place where his skill set makes sense.
That fit shows up on situational downs. On early downs, Dobbins’ patience and one-cut style marry well with the Broncos’ run concepts. On third down, trust matters more than anything, and his comments hint at a strong player-coach relationship with Payton — a prerequisite for staying on the field in pass-heavy moments. Inside the red zone, where every yard is a fight, a veteran who embraces the scheme is an edge you feel on Sundays.
Depth is a reality at running back, and Denver will keep rotating to stay fresh. Rookie running back CJ Harvey finally showcased his breakout ability against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8, ripping off a 40-yard run and two touchdowns.
When Extension Talk Actually Makes Sense
GettyJ.K. Dobbins has shown he’s the No. 1 running back in Denver so far this season, but will that continue?
Dobbins said he isn’t thinking about an extension, and that’s the smart play for both sides. League-wide, most meaningful talks for veterans on short-term deals happen after a season or late in the year once durability, usage and team needs are settled. That timing reduces risk and sharpens comps.
From the team side, there are obvious levers: structure over splash. Clubs often prefer short guarantees, incentives tied to games played and production, and flexibility year to year. From the player side, momentum matters. If Dobbins keeps stacking strong outings in Payton’s system, he strengthens his case without ever having to posture in public. If the year turns bumpy, his message today — team-first, Denver-first — still plays with the fan base and the room.
It makes a reasonable amount of sense for Denver to take a wait-and-see-approach, too. Dobbins has been a productive running back when healthy in previous seasons for Baltimore and Los Angeles. He has, however, suffered major injuries that could lead any team to be hesitant with locking him up long term.
Dobbins, according to DraftSharks, has worked through a broken fibula in 2016 prior to entering the NFL, and then had a gruesome injury in 2021, tearing his hamstring, ACL and LCL, and damaging his meniscus. In 2023, he suffered a torn Achilles. Despite the major injuries, he holds a career average of 5.3 yards per carry, which is still an elite number in the NFL.
What It Means for Fans — & What’s Next
Fans heard two things in Dobbins’ remarks: commitment and confidence. Commitment, in that he openly tied his future to Denver; confidence, in that he doesn’t need contract headlines to validate his role. That combination is rare — and welcome — for a team trying to stack wins and build an identity around toughness and detail.
What’s next is simple: keep the main thing the main thing. If Dobbins keeps delivering the things Payton values — efficient early-down runs, secure pass protection, ball security and late-game finishing — the business conversation will find him when it’s supposed to. Until then, his message stands on its own.
