While coach Matt LaFleur thought he was headed to Baltimore, former Green Bay Packers linebacker Kristian Welch signed with the Denver Broncos on Thursday. And it’s not a practice squad job — Welch, who had a standout preseason in Green Bay — is now on the 53-man roster in Denver.
The Packers released Welch, a Wisconsin native, during final cuts Tuesday. An NFL veteran with value on special teams, Welch was looking for a better opportunity and found it in Denver.
Welch played in 14 games for the Packers last season before signing a one-year contract that will see him return in 2024. He did everything he could to earn a spot on the 53-man roster this season, picking up three interceptions, but the Packers’ deep roster made for some tough cuts.
It’s certainly possible that his preseason performance against the Broncos — which included an interception and a tackle for loss — helped earn him a spot on Denver’s 53-man roster. In the preseason finale, Welch intercepted another pass and made a neat tackle on special teams. He led the team in tackles and also recovered a fumble.
A corresponding change to the Broncos roster was the release of starting linebacker Levelle Bailey.
Of the players released by the Packers during the final cuts, six found opportunities elsewhere: Welch signed with the Broncos, Grant DuBose was acquired by the Miami Dolphins, Royce Newman was acquired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Royce Newman was acquired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Samori Toure signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad, Michael Pratt signed with the Buccaneers practice squad.
