Broncos Defense Carries Momentum Into 2026

The Denver Broncos defense enters the 2026 season with unfinished business and a clear target on its back. After one of the most dominant regular seasons in franchise history, the unit finds itself ranked as the third-most-feared defense in the NFL by Fox Sports’ Ben Arthur heading into the new year — behind only the defending champion Seattle Seahawks and the Houston Texans.

That placement carries weight. The Broncos did not merely survive 2025. They led the league in sacks with 68, finished among the top three in total yards allowed and points allowed in multiple advanced metrics, and gave opponents fits on third downs and in the red zone. The core that produced those numbers remains largely intact.

Continuity Defines the 2026 Outlook

Free agency took two familiar faces. Defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers, who posted 7.5 sacks in 2025, signed with the Titans. Safety P.J. Locke also moved on. Those departures matter, yet the Broncos view the losses as manageable.

In the third round of the draft they added defensive tackle Tyler Onyedim, a player the coaching staff believes can grow into a meaningful contributor on the interior. The rest of the front seven and the secondary return with starting experience and scheme familiarity under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

That continuity shows up in the numbers and in the day-to-day work. Joseph’s system has now produced back-to-back top-three defenses. The players know the calls, the adjustments, and the standards.

Joseph Delivers a Direct Message at OTAs

During the first week of OTAs, Joseph gathered the defense and delivered a message that left little room for complacency. Cornerback Pat Surtain shared the words afterward at his foundation’s charity event.

“Teams are getting better and better, but we got to find a way to get better than where we was last year.” — Vance Joseph, via Pat Surtain

Surtain added context that resonated with teammates. A new year means a clean slate. Last season’s accomplishments do not carry over. The group fell short of its ultimate goal in the playoffs, and that reality fuels the current mindset.

You could feel the edge on the practice fields at Broncos Park. Pads popped with extra purpose. Young players leaned on veterans. Surtain moved around the secondary with the quiet authority of someone who has already been the standard and now expects everyone else to match it.

2025 Broncos Defense by the Numbers

Those figures tell the story of a unit that disrupted quarterbacks, limited explosive plays, and kept opponents out of the end zone at a high rate. The pass rush, in particular, became a calling card. Replacing Franklin-Myers’ production inside remains the clearest short-term challenge, but the presence of edge rushers who terrorized tackles and the continued growth of the linebacker group give Joseph options.

What Must Improve for Another Elite Run

Joseph has been explicit. The defense must create more turnovers and maintain its physical identity against an NFL that studies and adapts quickly. Opponents will scheme to slow the rush and test the secondary’s depth. The Broncos know this.

The addition of Onyedim is one piece of the answer. His athletic traits fit the scheme’s demands for interior penetration and run defense. How quickly he earns snaps and contributes will help determine whether the front remains as disruptive as it was in 2025.

Surtain’s leadership extends beyond the field. His recent charity work and steady presence at OTAs reinforce the culture Joseph has built. When the best player on the defense speaks, the room listens. That intangible matters when the schedule gets heavy in November and December.

The Road Ahead

The Broncos defense does not need to reinvent itself. It needs to sharpen what already works. Joseph’s call for continuous improvement lands differently when it comes from a coordinator whose unit has already proven it belongs among the league’s best.

Seattle and Houston sit above them on the current rankings. Both teams bring their own strengths and experience. Denver’s response will be measured in the fall — in sacks, in stops on third down, and ultimately in how far this defense carries the team.

For now, the work continues under the Colorado sun. The message is simple and the standard remains high: get better than last year.