Double-digit sacks are part of Malik Reed’s goals for 2021
Mar 1, 2021, 10:03 AM | Updated: 10:12 am
During the 2019 preseason Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller called the shot and nicknamed undrafted rookie Malik Reed “dream killer.”
Fast forward to an unprecedented 2020 season and one could say that Reed became exactly that.
Reed joined “Good Morning Football” last week to reflect on last year and what his goals were heading into the new season.
A huge thanks to @Broncos LB @MTR_90 for joining #GMFB today!
We talk about his career-high 8 sacks in 2020, the importance of creating your own path as football player, his goals for the 2021 season and much more!
"People don't expect dogs to come from Nevada." pic.twitter.com/RUTAHxQ0Xa
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) February 25, 2021
The Broncos’ 2020 season was riddled with injury, making it tough to see any bright side from another 5-11 season. Miller suffered a season-ending dislocated peroneal tendon injury in his ankle and Bradley Chubb was coming back from a torn ACL the season prior.
But Reed took every chance to prove himself, saying missing his defensive teammates made him ready for any opportunity.
“I’m just trying to take advantage of each and every day, and I feel like every day is another chance to get better an improve,” Reed told Good Morning Football. “I never want to get complacent and want to continue to grow.”
That “next man up” mentality helped Reed finish the 2020 season with 53 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, eight sacks and 17 total QB hits.
When Miller bestowed the nickname “dream killer” on Reed, the veteran outside linebacker also said that he could have the same career as former Broncos outside linebacker (and recent Super Bowl champion) Shaquil Barrett.
“Shaq is a guy that once he got those opportunities he took advantage of them,” Reed said. “I watch all these guys in the league and take from their games and put my own spin on it … so I can impact the game in my own way.”
From two sacks his rookie season to eight in 2020, the bar is getting higher for Reed with the Broncos.
Miller’s future in Denver is uncertain, but Reed knows what his goals are and what he wants to bring to the team moving forward.
“The goal is to step it up and get double-digit (sacks),” Reed said. “You always want to get that recognition, a Pro Bowl invite and All-Pro are all goals I want to achieve and are definitely at the top of my list for years to come.”
Reed began to prove his worth in 2019 as an undrafted rookie free agent coming out of Nevada and has been determined to set the example that hard work can go a long way.
“It’s all about what you put into it each and every day and that’s how my mentality developed,” Reed said.
