Curiously, for the second time this month, a Denver Broncos free agent was on the verge of joining a new team before experiencing cold feet at the eleventh hour.
On Tuesday, it was reported that inside linebacker Justin Strnad reached an agreement with the Carolina Panthers. However, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Strnad had a "change of heart" and opted to return to Denver on a one-year deal.
The dramatic development was confirmed by 9NEWS insider Mike Klis.
Strnad, 27, is entering his fifth season with the Broncos. The former fifth-round pick, after missing his entire rookie campaign due to wrist surgery, has recorded 31 solo tackles and one quarterback hit across 50 appearances, including five starts in 2021.
Though not much of a defensive boon (316 career snaps), Strnad is a core-special teamer who should continue to excel in that role while providing insurance behind Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, and Jonas Griffith among Denver's ILB corps.
"Justin did a great job as a backup ‘Mike’ [linebacker]. It was his first time playing the ‘Mike’ [linebacker], so he’s been growing fast," defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said last August. "After Jonas went down, he moved to ‘Mike.’ He’s done a good job of communicating, playing fast, and playing physical. That’s been his thing in the past, but he is playing physical, shedding blocks, and making plays for us.”
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