The Denver Broncos defense has a chance to be really special in 2025.
The team boasts the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in Pat Surtain II, plus the likes of Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen and others. The Broncos also added linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga in free agency and then picked cornerback Jahdae Barron in the first-round of the NFL Draft.
On paper, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph could have the top unit in the league. But the games aren’t played on paper, and head coach Sean Payton wasn’t taking the bait on Tuesday after Denver wrapped up its first practice of mandatory mini-camp.
Payton was asked if this might be the best defense he’s ever coached, despite being largely regarded as a more of an offensive guy.
“We’ll see, we’ll see. We’re sitting here in June, talking about ‘the best.’ We have a chance to be a real good defense and time will tell,” Payton said.
Last season, the Broncos defense was seventh in yards allowed per game (317.1). They led the leagues in sacks with 63 and gave up the third fewest points per game at 18.3.
It earned Joseph some looks to once again be an NFL head coach, but he’s back for his third season as Denver’s defensive coordinator under Payton.
And the head coach has had some solid defenses during his time with the New Orleans Saints and last year with the Broncos.
“Lucky enough, I’ve been apart of some really good defenses. But we’ve just got to keep improving and really all of this is important preparation for training camp,” Payton said.
That’s just it. It’s fun to get excited about the potential of the Broncos defense in June, but the reality is we’ve got a long ways to go before the football games start mattering.
There’s the grind of training camp and three preseason games before the real fun begins on Sept.7 against the Tennessee Titans.
Until then, Payton hopes the Broncos defense can continue to improve then be ready to fly around the field a few months from now.