Join our FREE personalized newsletter for news, trends, and insights that matter to everyone in America

Newsletter
New

Denver Broncos Waived Outside Linebacker Johnny Walker

Card image cap

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 30: Johnny Walker Jr. #15 of the Missouri Tigers looks on during the second half of the Transperfect Music City Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images

According to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, the Denver Broncos have waived outside linebacker Johnny Walker today. 

OLB Johnny Walker told me he has been waived by the #Broncos but that they want him back to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 30, 2026

Walker Jr. signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft, receiving one of the larger UDFA guarantees that year. In 41 college games he recorded 104 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles, including a 9.5-sack senior season that earned second-team All-SEC honors. A lower-body injury in 2025 training camp landed him on injured reserve for the season.

Going into 2026, the hope was to see him take that next step but the musical chairs at edge ended with him heading to the waivers.

Bonitto, Elliss, Tillman, and Robinson will be the top four at the position barring any unforeseen circumstances. Walker was thought highly of by the Broncos’ coaching staff and earned the most signing bonus money of any UDFA in ‘25—that leads me to believe they think he has a lot of untapped potential.

Given how highly the coaching staff regarded him coming out of college, I would be shocked if we don’t see Walker quickly re-signed to the 16-man practice squad.