Broncos’ John Franklin-Myers Staying Focused Amid Contract Uncertainty, Vance Joseph Keeps Eyes on the Present, and a Potential Door Opens for Trey Lance
As the Broncos push through the stretch run of the season, defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers is taking a pragmatic approach to his future - even as his contract status remains up in the air.
Denver has yet to offer Franklin-Myers a contract extension, leaving the door open for him to hit free agency. But if there’s any frustration building, he’s not showing it. Instead, he’s embracing the moment and the opportunity to contribute, regardless of what lies ahead.
“Players don’t offer each other extensions,” Franklin-Myers said. “You can never be mad at somebody getting money.
And I can never be mad at how a team may view you or value you. I got a job to do.
And I’m going to do it as many times as they let me. When I can’t do it anymore, then I’ll go somewhere else and do it.”
That’s the mindset of a veteran who’s seen the business side of football up close and understands how quickly things can change. Franklin-Myers has already carved out a solid career, and while he admits it’s disappointing to watch others around him secure long-term deals, he’s not letting that cloud his perspective.
“I’ve been blessed to make money in this league and do my thing,” he added. “When it comes, it comes.
It’s disappointing. You see it, but I’m happy for all my teammates for changing their lives and their families’ lives.
But ultimately, I’m a football player, and I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to play with my teammates.
And I’m happy to see them changing their families’ lives. If I can do anything to help them, then I’m more than willing.”
In a locker room where players often have to balance personal goals with team success, Franklin-Myers is threading that needle well. He’s staying grounded, staying productive, and letting the future take care of itself.
On the coaching front, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is drawing some attention - again - as a potential head coaching candidate. But if you ask him, he’s not spending much time thinking about what’s next.
“It’s flattering, but my second time through the process - or my third or fourth time through the process - I don’t think about it,” Joseph said. “I really don’t, because I know it’s about winning. And everyone wants to hire winners; they want to hire someone who’s fixed something.”
Joseph’s not wrong. Teams looking for head coaches want proof of impact, and Denver’s defensive turnaround in recent years hasn’t gone unnoticed. While the Broncos have had their ups and downs, the defense has steadily improved under Joseph’s guidance - a testament to his ability to lead and develop a unit.
“There’s no better example than what we’ve done here the last three years,” he said. “The key is to win and not worry about the process.
It takes care of itself. It’s the Broncos’ season right now, that’s my focus, honestly.
If it happens, I’ll be happy. If it doesn’t, I have a good job.
I have good players, and I’m in a great city. So I have no worries.”
That kind of perspective - grounded, team-first, and success-driven - is part of why Joseph continues to be mentioned in head coaching conversations. He’s been through the process before, and he’s learned to let his work speak for itself.
Meanwhile, over in Los Angeles, there’s a name quietly resurfacing in league circles: Trey Lance.
Once the No. 3 overall pick, Lance hasn’t had the cleanest path in the NFL. Injuries, limited reps, and tough quarterback rooms have all played a part in his slow development. But after earning the backup role with the Chargers following a strong preseason, there’s still belief in his potential - especially as the quarterback market for 2026 begins to look thin.
“He’s never really gotten his shot - and you can also say he’s never really forced it - but it’s not like he’s gotten beaten out by bad quarterbacks,” one AFC evaluator said. “There’s some circumstances. Injuries when he needed a lot of development [in San Francisco] and then look at the guys he’s been behind.”
That’s the key with Lance. He hasn’t necessarily failed - he just hasn’t had the runway. From San Francisco’s QB shuffle to now backing up in L.A., his journey has been more about timing and opportunity than talent.
With teams potentially needing to get creative at the quarterback position in the near future, Lance could be one of the more intriguing options. He’s still young, still athletic, and still flashing the upside that made him a top-three pick. All it might take is the right situation - and the right team willing to take a shot.
For now, he’s waiting in the wings. But in a league where quarterback depth is gold, Trey Lance might not be waiting much longer.