The Denver Broncos were incredible during the 2025 NFL season, but came up just short of a Super Bowl appearance thanks to Bo Nix's injury and an agonizingly close loss to the New England Patriots.
Looking ahead to 2026, this Broncos team, after adding Jaylen Waddle, looks as good as ever. But if there is one question, it will be the defensive line. Specifically, how the team replaces John Franklin-Myers, who left for the Tennessee Titans.
ESPN's Jeff Legwold revealed that there is one veteran, 291-pound defensive lineman Matt Henningsen, after praise from Sean Pyaton, who could be a sneaky contender for a roster spot.
Matt Henningsen might be a sneaky, intriguing depth piece for Broncos
"He does a great job of seeing those screens or underneath throws," Payton said of Henningsen. "He's doing really well. He's exceptionally smart."
This kind of commentary from Payton is very intriguing. While it's not a direct admission that Henningsen will make the NFL roster, it is a noteworthy statement to make on someone who's on the bubble.
As Legwold writes, "If the Broncos keep five or six defensive linemen when the roster is cut to 53 in the preseason, it makes it a tight fit for him, but he has done his part so far."
It's interesting that a player who might not even make the NFL roster is one of the biggest surprises for the Broncos so far this offseason.
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But Henningsen, coming off a lost 2025 season due to a torn Achilles, might be a legitimate DL for the Broncos in 2026 if his offseason production so far continues.
Malcolm Roach, D.J. Jones, Zach Allen, Tyler Onyedim, Sai'Vion Jones, Jordan Jackson, Jordan Miller, Eyioma Uwazurike, and Kristian Williams are the other defensive lineman options for the Broncos.
Of that group, Roach, D.J. Jones, Onyedim, Sai'Vion Jones, and Allen are locks. That leaves very little leeway for Henningsen to make the NFL roster.
But, if there were a situation in which he does make the push, it appears as if this current situation is just that. He's impressing so far, and might be a sneaky NFL roster spot winner later this summer ahead of the 2026 season.
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