Broncos' Defense in Jeopardy After Losing Franklin-Myers

0:00On March 30, NFL coaches and execs met up in Phoenix for the 2026 league meetings, and Denver Broncos GM George Payton fielded a questions on their offseason moves. The big talk centered on losing star defensive lineman John Franklin Myers, but Payton stayed chill, saying they feel good with their depth. He pointed to guys like, third round pick, Syvian Jones, and Ayuma Uazurike stepping up, plus four key returners. Payton Myers bolted for a three-year, $63 million deal with 42 million guaranteed elsewhere, pricing himself out of Denver's plans. Fans and analysts are sidelining Payton's optimism, though. The Broncos topped the league last season with 68 sacks, 213 pressures, and 80 quarterback knockdowns, Franklin Myers, owned 15 QB hits, seven and a half sacks, and six tackles for loss in 16 games. Replacing him means leaning on unproven talent.

1:01Jones barely saw the field as a rookie, with just 33 defensive snaps over three games. Uazurike flashed in limited roles, but neither has proven they can anchor that dominant front. Payton's banking on internal growth to keep the pressure coming, but if these young guns don't deliver, that top-ranked defense could take a hit next. Fall.