The Denver Broncos have moved their roster down to 53 players, making transactions with 37 others to get down to the league-mandated mark.
It was known that the team was going to have some difficult decisions to make and there would be some second-guessing of some of those decisions. But cutting inside linebacker Levelle Bailey was a move almost nobody would have predicted.
Bailey, an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State last year, had a tremendous preseason as a rookie as well. This year, with the team struggling to stay healthy at the position, Bailey was given plenty of reps with the starting lineup and, because of that, was considered nearly a lock to make this team. That was not the case.
Instead, the Broncos chose to keep undrafted free agent Karene Reid ahead of him.
ILB Levelle Bailey was cut and now the Broncos depth has taken a major hit!
BUT could a former Vance Joseph disciple find himself back in Denver if he clears waivers 👀 @Coach_Sanford2 @RajOnRadio #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/j8BSBgvm6V
— 92.5 FM – Denver’s Altitude Sports Radio (@AltitudeSR) August 26, 2025
Bailey seemed like the top guy the Broncos would turn to if either Dre Greenlaw or Alex Singleton struggles with injuries during the season, perhaps even over Justin Strnad. But the coaching staff changed its mind and went with Reid instead.
The Broncos likely would bring Bailey back as part of the 16-man practice squad, but there is a really good chance they won’t be able to do that as Bailey is expected to have some teams interested in claiming him on waivers.
It’s a surprising move for a team that lacks depth at the inside linebacker position to begin with and then to spend all of those reps this summer with Bailey in a solid role, only to turn him loose, is a bit of a headscratcher. However, there is a chance that the team will have interest in a linebacker who was cut by one of the other teams in the league and will look to add him on waivers.
READ: Broncos predicted to get off to hot start, but high-powered AFC team gives them their first loss
Isaiah Simmons, who was released by the Green Bay Packers, will be a name that comes up. He is familiar with Vance Joseph dating back to their time together in Arizona.
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