Over the past three seasons, Malik Reed proved himself as a bona fide NFL outside linebacker while stepping in because of injuries to Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.
He played so well as a backup — 15 sacks over 45 games — that he made himself tradeable, a result of what general manager George Paton called a “log-jam” at the position. Denver sent Reed and its 2023 seventh-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for Pittsburgh’s sixth-rounder.
“We have a lot of really talented outside backers who can rush,” Paton said. “We thought it would be best to trade Malik and trade him to somewhere where he’s going to fit in (with the 3-4 defense).