The Denver Broncos’ defense has been one of the defining forces of the 2025 NFL season, powering the team to a 9-2 start, their best since the 2015 Super Bowl run. Some analysts have even dared to compare this defense to the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears. And at the heart of that conversation is former Arkansas Razorback and longtime NFL standout Dre Greenlaw, whose return from injury has given Denver back one of the most physical tone-setters in the league.
Greenlaw recorded four tackles in the Broncos’ gritty 22-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon. It was just the latest reminder of what he brings to Denver’s defensive identity: toughness, leverage, and an uncompromising style of football that helps define elite defenses.
Through four games (all starts), Greenlaw has totaled 23 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and a pass breakup, numbers that only scratch the surface of his influence.
Sean Payton Saw It From Day One
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has never been shy about his admiration for Greenlaw. Back in training camp, before injuries, before the suspension, and before the defense had fully come into form, Payton offered a scouting report that now reads like a blueprint for the Broncos’ success.
"“Tough, he's physical. He's built that way. There's not a lot of leaky yardage,” Payton said. “He's a knock-back tackler. They stop where he hits them. There's an intensity to how he plays. He's one of those players that if you put the film on and didn't say anything, at some point early, you'd ask, ‘Who is this guy?’”"Sean Payton
That physicality is not just a trait: it’s a tone, and Payton knows that tone spreads through a locker room quickly.
A Difficult Comeback, a Necessary Reset
Greenlaw’s first season in Denver hasn’t been smooth. Still recovering from an injury suffered during his San Francisco tenure, the Broncos made the difficult decision to place him on injured reserve ahead of Week 3, a choice Payton later said was “tough waiting,” but ultimately worthwhile.
After returning to the field, Greenlaw had to serve a suspension that temporarily halted his momentum. Now, in Week 12, he’s healthy, active, and beginning to build real rhythm. Payton said on Monday that Greenlaw’s importance goes far beyond his box-score numbers:
"“He brings an element, just a toughness, a competitiveness. It’s hard to put on paper,” Payton explained. “He’s extremely physical, and I think he plays with such good pad level and leverage. He’s a great tackler. It’s good to have him in the lineup.”"Sean Payton
But the real value, Payton suggests, is spiritual. Greenlaw changes the emotional tempo of the team. He “carries” something that can’t be charted.
Why the Broncos Made Greenlaw a Priority
After a successful but injury-limited run with the San Francisco 49ers, Denver targeted Greenlaw aggressively in free agency, signing him to a three-year, $31.5 million contract. They believed he could anchor their linebacker corps and bring championship-caliber urgency. Early returns suggest they were right.
As Mile High Report analyst Erick Trickel noted, Greenlaw hasn’t just been solid, he’s been quietly elite:
"“Denver made getting Greenlaw a priority, and his play speaks for itself. While he has been limited to two games and 48 total snaps, he has picked up two pressures on four blitzes, 13 tackles, and has not allowed a single target to be caught.”"Erick Trickel
That last part, no receptions allowed, is especially telling. Greenlaw is known as a violent run defender, but he has always brought more versatility than people realize. His coverage instincts are sharp. His angles are disciplined. His closing speed remains rare even after injuries.
A Tone-Setter for a Defense With Historic Aspirations
Every great defense, from the ’85 Bears to the early 2000s Ravens to the Legion of Boom, had a player whose presence shifted the field the moment they stepped on it. Greenlaw, when healthy, is that guy. His teammates respond to his urgency. His coaches trust his physicality. And opposing offenses feel his leverage on every downhill step.
Denver’s run defense, gap discipline, and sideline-to-sideline pursuit all elevate when he’s available. And as the Broncos continue a season that’s beginning to echo historic defensive excellence, Greenlaw is one of the key reasons why.
The comparisons to the 1985 Bears aren’t about one player; they’re about collective dominance. But every dominant unit has emotional engines. Greenlaw is one of Denver’s.
The Forgotten Star Is Reintroducing Himself
During his peak with the 49ers, Greenlaw was widely considered one of the best linebackers in football. Injuries erased chunks of those prime years, and in the NFL, time away leads to being forgotten.
But the moment he steps back on the field, people remember.
They remember the violence.
The instincts.
The way ball carriers stop where he hits them.
The way offenses change when he’s roaming the second level.
Now, as the Broncos march toward the playoffs behind one of the league’s best defenses, Greenlaw’s redemption tour is gaining steam. The early-season waiting period is over. The injuries are behind him. The suspension is served. And the timing couldn’t be better.
The Second Half Belongs to Dre Greenlaw
If the Broncos want to finish this historic defensive season and make a deep postseason run, Greenlaw will be one of the biggest reasons why. His role is only increasing. His confidence is rising. And his physical presence is unmatched. For Denver, the wait was worth it. Now it’s Greenlaw’s time to remind the NFL exactly what it has been missing.