Broncos Keep LB in Place Griffith Jonas.
Jonas Griffith, who sat out the entire 2023 season due to an ACL tear, is set to extend his tenure with the Broncos as he signed a one-year extension, as revealed by his agency.
Despite being an exclusive rights free agent again this year, Denver opted to secure Griffith with a new deal ahead of free agency instead of waiting until later in the offseason. The extension, announced on Wednesday, will see Griffith earn $985,000 in 2024, marking the league minimum for players with two years of experience. This amount represents a slight increase from his one-year earnings in the past two seasons. The veteran linebacker, if he stays healthy, could potentially play a significant role for the team.
With starting linebacker Alex Singleton already accounted for, the Broncos face uncertainties with other key players in that position. Fellow first-teamer Josey Jewell is a pending free agent, as are backups Justin Strnad and Ben Niemann, suggesting potential departures in the linebacker group. Meanwhile, 2023 third-rounder Drew Sanders showed promise as an outside linebacker in his rookie year.
Griffith, known for his special teams experience, could also contend for a return to the workload he had in 2022. In that season, he achieved a 55% snap share on defense, starting eight of his nine games before a foot injury cut his campaign short, contributing to his absence throughout the 2023 season. Despite the setback, Griffith received positive reviews when on the field, generating high expectations for the subsequent year.
Since joining the Broncos via trade in 2021, the 27-year-old linebacker has participated in all 22 appearances for the team, amassing 92 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery. Depending on the team’s decisions in the offseason, particularly regarding Jewell, Griffith could be in a favorable position to compete for defensive playing time. Regardless, the extension signals his potential return to at least a solid special teams role, contingent on his full recovery from the recent season-ending injury.
