Flip again the clocks just a few years in the past and the Denver Broncos protection was in disarray. It was the primary stretch of the 2023 season, and so they had simply given up 70 factors of their Week 3 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Undoubtedly the worst defensive efficiency in franchise historical past—and one of many worst ever within the NFL—the Broncos’ protection had hit all-time low.
Quick ahead to the current day and the vibe of the protection is completely totally different. It’s now not a catastrophe. In reality, it has been fairly dominant. Led by Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph, the unit has turn into one of many league’s greatest. Coming into their fourth yr in Joseph’s scheme, this yr’s protection has a shot at being the very best up to now.
With a star-filled roster and high quality depth at most positions, the Broncos are in nice form. These components, alongside continuity and scheme familiarity, are key explanation why the expectations on that facet of the ball are sky excessive in 2026. Yesterday after observe, Joseph acknowledged on how that ought to assist their efforts this season.
“It helps because there are certain things that we don’t have to teach in our fourth season together, as far as scheme stuff. Obviously with football, the technique stuff, fundamental stuff, you teach every single day, every year,” acknowledged Joseph.
DENVER , CO – JANUARY 4: Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos roams the sidelines throughout the first quarter towards the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, January 4, 2026. (Picture by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Publish) Denver Publish through Getty Pictures
“It’s been fun to watch them coach themselves and to correct themselves. That’s a sign of a good unit. It’s a great unit, but they’re motivated and they’re not satisfied with what we did last year,” added Joseph.
Final yr, the Broncos have been the highest pressure within the NFL when it got here to placing stress on opposing quarterbacks. They set a brand new franchise file with 68 sacks. Although there are some gamers who imagine the protection is poised to interrupt the all-time file at the moment held by the 1984 Chicago Bears. That’s a lofty assertion, however the crew’s gamers are assured that may obtain.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t simply sacking quarterbacks that made Denver’s protection among the best in 2025. As a complete, they ranked third in factors allowed and have been the seventh-best unit with respect to yards allowed. Their purple zone protection was terrific permitting the bottom landing fee within the league. Moreover, they have been among the best groups getting off the sector on third downs.
Two areas for enchancment for the ‘26 season are with respect to turnovers and penalties. The Broncos led the league in defensive penalties and yards. On the turnover front, they were in the bottom five with just 14 takeaways. Even with those issues, Denver found themselves on the winning side of fourteen regular season games in ‘25.
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 25: Pat Surtain II #2 of the Denver Broncos looks on from the sideline during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) Getty Images
With one of the hardest schedules, especially early in the season, the Broncos defense is going to be tested right out the gate. While creating more turnovers is a focus of theirs, Joseph emphasized the importance of fundamentals and doing things the right way. If they can accomplish that and stick to their aggressive style of play, he is confident the turnovers will come, and that the defense can be even better in ‘26.
“It’s about enjoying good soccer. Stopping the run, profitable third downs, profitable purple zone, but additionally being intentional. When you’ve got an opportunity to get the ball off the quarterback, it’s a must to do it. It may possibly’t be, ‘Well, I forgot’ or ‘I hope.’ It must be intentional. I believe that’s going to be a non-issue for my part. If we play to our play type, I ought to say, it gained’t be a problem.”
