The top fill-in starter for Von Miller and Bradley Chubb over the past three seasons, Malik Reed has a new home. The Broncos are sending the veteran outside linebacker to the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Denver will collect a late-round pick for the contract-year linebacker. While Reed has been a productive pass rusher, the Broncos made some moves this offseason to bolster that position. The depth acquired made Reed expendable, it appears.
After the Broncos traded the best pass rusher in team history (Miller) at last year’s deadline, they went to work in adding to that position this offseason. The team signing Randy Gregory and used its top draft choice (No. 64 overall) on Nik Bonitto. Denver also moved 2021 inside linebacker starter Baron Browning to the edge, and NFL.com’s James Palmer adds (via Twitter) the team is high on the former third-round pick after the training camp he put together at the new position.
A Reed trade has also loomed as a possibility for months due to his arrival before George Paton became the Broncos’ GM. Chubb is now the only OLB left from the John Elway regime, with the Broncos also rostering 2021 seventh-rounder Jonathan Cooper. Though Cooper’s spot may not be completely safe. Chubb and Gregory’s injury issues still may prompt the Broncos to prioritize depth at the position. But they felt enough depth was present to unload Reed, who will have a clearer role in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers, who cut edge rusher Genard Avery earlier this month, have featured an OLB need for a bit now. They traded Melvin Ingram last year, creating a void behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Reed stands to play the same role he did in Denver, though Miller and Chubb’s injuries often simply made him a starter.
A 2019 UDFA, Reed has registered 13 sacks over the past two years. Since 2019, the Nevada alum has made 34 starts. One season remains on the 26-year-old OLB’s contract; the Broncos tendered Reed at the original-round level as an RFA this year.
Me likey for the Steelers depending on the return. Obvious upgrade and need.
Would have rather been able to add a guy like this at cutdowns, but if its a 6th or 7th hard to hate it.
They seem to love trading 5th’s though…
ya they had to get some pass rushing behind the beasts
Agreed to an extent, but Reed seems like an upgrade over a Quincy Roche or Hamilcar Rashed, and maybe over Genard Avery to. Reed sure can get to the quarterback.
He’s a guy who gives them depth for the pass rush. Ok, that’s fine. But jeez, you still have Bush at ILB, a guy who just doesn’t look interested in getting down and dirty to make tough stops
I dunno. So many holes that they seem reluctant to do anything about at this point
it’s cuz they have a combination of Bush and Spillane on expiring contracts
“Broncos get the Steelers’ 6th round pick in 2023, Steelers get 7th-round pick from Broncos.” – Mike Kils
If it’s just a 6th, that’s a steal for the Steelers IMO. Well done, and thanks for the info.
Gives you everything he’s got. But he’s not a difference maker.
This bears shades of reminiscence of the Shaq Barrett decision. Reed is a good rotational player who likely would have a better long term prospect than Randy Gregory, and certainly cheaper. For a late pick, the Broncos do not seem to have gotten back what he offered to the team. I suppose we’ll see if he continues to be productive in limited snaps in Pittsburgh.