When outside linebacker Jude Waddy agreed to participate in the NFL Europe league this spring, he did so knowing that the spring league probably represented his best chance to get back to the big-time.

That turned out to be the case.

Waddy, one of the European loop's premier defenders this year, signed with the Denver Broncos on Monday, ending a two-year hiatus from the NFL. Details of the contract were not immediately available, but it is likely that Waddy, 26, signed a one-year deal with a base salary of $375,000.

The former William & Mary star, who played in 27 games for the Green Bay Packers in the 1998 and '99 seasons, was named to the all-NFL Europe team for his efforts with the Berlin Thunder. He was cited in an ESPN.com column last week as one of a dozen NFL Europe players who might have a chance to earn an NFL roster spot this summer.

In 10 games, Waddy posted 32 tackles, two sacks and five passes defensed.

Waddy was always noted for his athleticism and cover ability and he actually started in eight games for the Packers before his career was derailed by a four-game suspension that resulted from a violation of the steroid abuse policy.

Signed by the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1998, he was released in the summer of 2000, having collected 75 tackles in two years. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Bucs and subsequently released, then did not play in either 2000 or 2001.

Always a solid special teams contributor, Waddy probably will be used by the Broncos in that role.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.