The Denver Broncos defense was one of the best units in the NFL last season.
They finished top 10 in takeaways, top 10 in total yards allowed per game, third in rushing yards allowed and third in points allowed. Oh, and they led the league in sacks with 63. That was nine more than the next closest team, Baltimore.
The Broncos were rushing the passer and stopping the run as good as any team in the league, which is why they allowed just 18.3 points per game.
So signing extensions for some of those high quality defenders, especially with such a stout defensive line, is likely going to be a goal for the Broncos through this offseason and next year before free agency. Yesterday, there was a proposal suggesting that edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who led the team in sacks with 13.5, needed to get extended.
According to Anthony Holzman-Escareno, a senior researcher at NFL.com, another key player that could be up for a big contract soon is Denver defensive tackle Zach Allen.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs for a gain during the fourth quarter as Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) defends in an AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs for a gain during the fourth quarter as Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) defends in an AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium.
Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The 27-year-old Allen, a former Arizona Cardinals third-round pick, was one of the top reasons that the Broncos' pass rush was so successful last season.
Next Gen Stats tallied a whopping 67 pressures, leading all defensive tackles last season. Allen also led the NFL with 40 quarterback hits.
According to Holzman-Escareno, "Since 2010, only five players have had 40-plus QB hits in a season: J.J. Watt, T.J. Watt, Aaron Donald, Nick Bosa and Allen."
Allen joins Bonitto and safety Brandon Jones, who led the team with 115 tackles in 2024, as key players on defense that are now in a contract year.