Last season, the Denver Broncos put up their best record since 2010, finishing a league-best 14-3. Though their offense was by no means a detriment, their tremendous success can be largely attributed to their defense.
Denver led the league in sacks, finished second in yards allowed per game, and finished third in points allowed per game. Former Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain has helped turn the Broncos’ secondary into a second coming of the “No Fly Zone.” Meanwhile, second-team All-Pro Nik Bonitto has turned their pass rush into an unstoppable force.
With a new season on the horizon, expectations are high for the Broncos. Their new look offense has fans excited. Surtain’s secondary will continue to thrive. But it’ll be their pass rush once again that will wreak havoc on offenses and help Denver make another deep playoff run.
The Broncos Are Returning Nearly Every Pass Rusher
Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Zach Allen, D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach all thrived in the system last year. All five are returning. Denver’s big loss from the offseason was John Franklin-Myers. His interior presence and 7.5 sacks will be missed, but they can also be supplemented.
Roach, who was the backup defensive tackle, will slide over to defensive end. Having played for Sean Payton in New Orleans and having thrived in his intermittent snaps on the line, he will surely suffice in the starting rotation. Not to mention, the Broncos also spent their first draft pick on Texas A&M defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim, who will provide critical support.
As for the edge rushers, Denver has as strong a returning duo as any. Bonitto and Cooper combined for an astonishing 22 sacks. For reference, that is more than the entire San Francisco 49ers had all season.
Backups Dondrea Tillman and Jonah Elliss showed some flashes while providing dependable depth. They also have plenty of intriguing pieces like Que Robinson and Sai’Vion Jones, who could surprise many if given the chance.
Simply put, this Denver pass rush has no holes. They brought back everyone they needed and effectively replaced their loss. On paper, there is no reason for them to take a step back next year. But the impact of their pass rush far surpasses just what can be seen on paper.
Denver’s Pass Rush Does More Than Generate Sacks
When pass rushing comes to mind, most fans immediately think of highlight plays like sacks and forced fumbles.
However, an elite pass rush can do much more. The Broncos led the league in pressures and QB hits, while finishing top-five in hurries. These stats are harder to find, but they are equally important. They are keeping quarterbacks on their toes, forcing them to make plays on the run, and inflicting general wear and tear, both mentally and physically. Without even recording sacks, Denver’s pass rush can dominate.
The Broncos’ defensive line forces offenses into uncomfortable situations. By pressuring quarterbacks, they can make opposing teams more likely to run the ball. This, in turn, makes opposing offenses more one-dimensional, giving Denver the upper hand. Additionally, because their pass rush is so dependable, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph can count on his guys to get home even on non-blitz plays.
The Broncos’ secondary also owes a lot of its success to the pass rushers, and vice versa. Denver can afford to blitz all four quarters because Surtain, Riley Moss, Talanoa Hufanga, and company can hold up in man coverage. In turn, the secondary can survive man coverage all game because the pass rush is making life incredibly difficult for the quarterback.
The entire NFL community knows that the Broncos had one of the best defenses in the NFL last year. After a great season, some teams get picked apart in free agency. However, outside of Franklin-Myers, Denver’s defense is completely intact. Thus, they can maintain that claim heading into the next year.
As Denver prepares for the 2026-2027 season, fans should fully expect their defense — and their pass rush in particular — to dominate the league once again.
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