This offseason is a big one for the Denver Broncos. They’re out of the Russell Wilson contract finally, and with Bo Nix’s rookie deal lasting only two more years, there’s no time like the present to add a lot of talent for a Super Bowl run.
There are three key positions to monitor for additions this offseason: Running back, tight end, and linebacker. The defensive line is not one of those areas of need.
Without a need at defensive tackle, the Broncos, according to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, are expected to lose their 7.5 sack defensive lineman, John Franklin-Myers, to a new team in free agency this offseason after two years in Denver.
Broncos expected to lose John Franklin-Myers in FA
“Fa most likely on the move: Defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers,” Legwold writes. “The Broncs want him back, given that he was one of the league’s most effective inside pass rushers for a defense that has set the franchise record in sacks in back-to-back seasons.”
However, with Franklin-Myers slated to land a big contract in free agency, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Broncos couldn’t bring him back on a multi-year contract.
He put up 14.5 sacks in his two-year Broncos career, with 7.5 coming this past season for the best year of his NFL career.
After such a strong two-year stretch, it’s no wonder that he’s slated to earn a contract of around $20 million or-so per year. Keeping him will be expensive. With the current contracts to the defensive line, letting Franklin-Myers walk is the most likely outcome.
More: John Franklin-Myers $20 million contract projection likely means end of time in Denver
This pairing went great, but now that he’s hitting free agency following a few strong years, Franklin-Myers is not going to be cheap to retain this offseason, no matter how much the Broncos would want to bring him back.
Fortunately for Denver’s defense, there will still be great players like Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, and Malcolm Roach getting pressure. Add in Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto, and the Broncos defense won’t be hurting for pass rushers in 2026.
Still, seeing Franklin-Myers sign with a new team will be sad for the Broncos. He was a great player in his limited time with the team, and now at 29 years old, he’s set to cash in big-time in free agency. At least he will bring a good compensatory pick back.
