The Broncos’ pass rush has been one of the league’s biggest problems for opposing quarterbacks in recent years, but the picture for 2026 isn’t as clean as it looked a season ago.
Denver’s front is still deep, but there are real openings to sort through. John Franklin-Myers is gone after leaving for the Tennessee Titans on a big-money deal, and Jonathon Cooper’s off-field issues and recent arrests have added another layer of uncertainty. If both players end up unavailable, that would leave the Broncos trying to replace 15 sacks from last season.
That’s why veteran edge rusher Joey Bosa makes sense as a name to watch. The former Chargers first-round pick is nearing 31 and is reportedly weighing whether he even wants to keep playing in 2026. That kind of decision can linger this time of year, but it gets tougher when other veterans are back on the field and teams are still making calls.
Bosa wouldn’t be a perfect one-for-one replacement for Franklin-Myers or Cooper. He’s listed at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, though, and he has enough size to work as a lighter defensive end in Denver’s scheme. He’s also played multiple techniques over the course of his NFL career, which gives him some flexibility if the Broncos decide to pursue him.
What makes Bosa especially interesting is how productive he was last season with Buffalo. According to PFF, he logged 23 of his 54 total pressures in the fourth quarter or overtime.
His pressure rate jumped from 11.2 percent in the first three quarters to 22.6 percent in the fourth quarter and overtime, which ranked second among NFL pass rushers in that split. He also forced five fumbles, something Denver has made a point of stressing as it looks to improve its takeaway total in 2026.
For the Broncos, the appeal is obvious: experience, a proven late-game edge presence, and a player who can close. It would also be the kind of move that would not sit well with Chargers fans.
Denver may feel good about its internal options to cover for Franklin-Myers and Cooper. Maybe that’s enough. But if the Broncos are serious about chasing a Super Bowl, adding a veteran like Bosa would be a smart layer of insurance - and possibly the final piece for a pass rush that already looks built to matter.
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Overlooked Broncos Receiver Is Suddenly Forcing A Real Camp Conversation
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For a player who entered the league without much fanfare, that kind of momentum matters. Bryants rise has been enough to make him a legitimate candidate for a bigger role in 2026, and if that progress carries over into training camp, he could turn from a depth piece into a real part of the conversation on offense. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Nearly Landed A Wild Coaching Twist Nobody Saw Coming
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The idea never got past the concept stage, in part because of how many moving pieces it would have required, and Belichick ultimately moved on to a year off before his planned 2025 arrival at North Carolina. He also reportedly checked in with the Jets about their opening, which only adds to the sense that the coaching carousel around him was never going to be simple. For Denver, it remains one of those fascinating what-ifs that says plenty about both Paytons creativity and Belichicks lingering pull. [Read more 🡒]
ESPN Puts Broncos In Top 10 And The AFC West Debate Will Rage
The Broncos head into the 2026 campaign with almost the same roster that helped them build real momentum a year ago, and that continuity is a big reason national evaluators are paying attention. ESPNs Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder each saw enough to place Denver eighth in their consensus roster rankings, a nod that reflects how far the group has come as it tries to push from promising to legitimate contender.
What makes the conversation around Denver so interesting is where the roster is strongest and where it still feels unfinished. ESPN pointed to the offensive line as a clear asset, but tight end remains the spot that could keep the Broncos from looking complete, with Evan Engram coming off a season in which his role never fully matched the expectations around him. For a team trying to chase a Super Bowl run in a loaded division, that kind of imbalance is exactly the sort of detail that will keep the AFC West debate going. [Read more 🡒]