Broncos have a pass-rushing goal: Set NFL’s all-time single-season team sack record

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Where does the Broncos defense go from up?

It’s a fair question, particularly when it comes to the pass rush, which has set franchise sack records in two consecutive seasons. After amassing 63 sacks in the team’s return to the postseason in 2024 — which at the time was the second-highest figure for any team since the New Orleans Saints racked up 66 sacks in 2000 — Denver’s defense took that tally five sacks higher last year.

With 68 sacks, the 2025 Broncos trailed only four teams, the 1987 Chicago Bears and 2022 Philadelphia Eagles (70 sacks each), the 1989 Minnesota Vikings (71) and the 1984 Bears (72). Yes, the all-time record holder isn’t the famed 1985 Bears defense that shuffled its way to a Super Bowl XX romp, it was the previous edition.

And the leading sacker on the interior defensive line from last year, John Franklin-Myers, took his talents to the Tennessee Titans for a richly deserved $42-million guarantee.

And yet D.J. Jones believes that the Broncos’ pass rush can be better than ever — not just in team history, either.

“We can break it,” Jones said. “We can break the record.”

THE REASONS WHY JONES BELIEVES THE BRONCOS CAN GO HIGHER

“We got what it takes,” Jones said. “I mean, we’ve tasted it. Now it’s time to cook the meal, eat it, and take a break.

“You know how you eat a good meal and you lay down after, take a good nap, you wake up and go eat again? We about to eat again. It’s time. We got the numbers; we got the men; we got the willpower. We got free will to go do it. So it’s up to us and we gonna do that.”

But beyond the demeanor, the relevant reasons are two teammates up front: Malcolm Roach and Enyi Uwazurike. During Wednesday’s practice, both showed why they could be a massive component of the answer to the question of who replaces Franklin-Myers’ production for the Broncos.

Uwazurike dominated against the run, both during the team and nine-on-seven periods, bursting through the line for multiple tackles for losses. He was similarly effective in those situations a day earlier.

“Enyi. He can’t be blocked,” Jones said. “He’s a man. He’s a grown man. I think it took some time for him, but now he’s fallen into his role of not being blocked. He could play every position. So he’s scary.”

Roach also had tackles for losses, but he was dominant in the pass rush, capping his day by taking down quarterback Bo Nix — literally. So, getting him to the ground was a step too far for practice, but Nix popped right back up, leaving no consequence to Roach’s dominant day beyond demanding the attention of any onlooker.

Jones saw it coming.

“So, we got to work out a little bit before the season started,” Jones said. “… He was focused on his pass rush and it’s showing.”

“I believe he’s going to take that JFM job and he’s going to run with it,” Jones added a moment later. “He’s doing a great job as we speak, with Enyi. Getting all the playing time last year for the first time really in his career.”

Effectively, the battle for playing time will be for No. 5 defensive lineman — and the last spot in the rotation. It looks like Roach and Uwazurike have spots 3 and 4, with Zach Allen and Jones set in their roles.

But no matter what, it looks like the Broncos have some answers now.

WHO STEPPED UP WITH COURTLAND SUTTON AND JAYLEN WADDLE BOTH NOT IN THE TEAM PERIOD

The primary beneficiaries were Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Michael Bandy and Troy Franklin. Humphrey and Bandy each had five receptions on Wednesday; Franklin had four catches.

Humphrey and Bandy seem likely to be practice-squad candidates once again based on their bodies of work. Franklin is in the fight for snaps as the No. 3 option behind Sutton and Waddle.

In the past year, Broncos coach Sean Payton says he’s seen plenty of growth in the cerebral side of Franklin’s game.

“His understanding of the formations, the details,” Payton said. “… All of a sudden, he’s getting used to the different roles he’s playing and the alignments on the field. He’s got real good burst. That would be the one thing, he’s comfortable within the framework. It’s so much different than the system he had in college.”

Based on his work in Broncos training camp, he’s adjusting well.

Related

Sean Payton has brief update on health of Jaylen Waddle after he leaves practiceRiley Moss led the NFL in a bad category, but it’s defensibleNik Bonitto spotted at Broncos camp one day after an injury scareBroncos camp wrap: Defense dominates the dayThe J.K. Dobbins sound bites are great, but it’s all about productionNew Broncos receiver Jaylen Waddle is a “big fan” of Marvin Mims