Sure, it’s considered a fait accompli that the Broncos would let Franklin-Myers go, but is it that clear-cut? After all, as the New Orleans Saints prove every year and the Kansas City Chiefs showed with their restructure of Patrick Mahomes’ contract — the salary cap can be stretched to ridiculous lengths.

PLAYER: John Franklin-Myers
POSITION: Defensive end
AGE: 29
CURRENT CONTRACT: Two years, $15 million
EXPERIENCE: Eight previous seasons, two with the Broncos
SPOTRAC CONTRACT PROJECTION: $7,878,273 per year

KEY STATS:

Posted the two highest sack totals of his career in the last two seasons — 7 in 2024 and 7.5 in 2025.
Is one of just four interior defensive linemen league-wide to post at least 7 sacks in each of the last two seasons.
Ranked 13th among 136 IDLs (minimum 100 pass-rush snaps) in QB hit rate from a true pass-rush set, per Pro Football Focus data.
In all pass-rush snaps, was 11th in QB hit rate and 19th in pressure rate (per PFF).
Finished 60th of 134 IDLs (minimum 100 run-defense snaps) in run-stop percentage (per PFF).

WHY THE BRONCOS COULD BRING HIM BACK

Because why break up the band?

Denver’s defensive line featured three players who ranked among the NFL’s top 15 interior defensive linemen in true-pass-set quarterback-hit rate, per the data compiled by Pro Football Focus.

Among the 136 IDLs with at least 100 pass-rush opportunities in the 2025 season, the Broncos’ trio of Zach Allen, Malcolm Roach, and Franklin-Myers ranked first, second and 13th in QB hit rate out of a true pass set. D.J. Jones was no slouch himself; he placed 30th.

The Broncos had three of the top 15; no other team had more than two IDLs in the top 25.

In all pass-rush snaps, each of the quartet finished in the NFL’s top 20 interior defensive linemen in QB-hit rate, with Franklin-Myers placing 11th. The Broncos had more players in the NFL’s top 20 than any other team had in the league’s top 30.

WHY THE BRONCOS WOULD LET HIM WALK

It has nothing to do with Franklin-Myers’ proficiency. It has everything to do with the quality of the players around him — and the commitments made to others in the room.

The Broncos made three significant investments in their defensive line over the last 12 months, re-signing D.J. Jones, Zach Allen and Malcolm Roach. Combined, the three defensive linemen collected $109.5 million in guaranteed money.

So, there’s only but so much you can devote to one position group without having an unbalanced roster. Furthermore, the team is pleased with the development of 2025 third-round pick Sai’vion Jones, who got on the field for just 33 snaps over three regular-season games last year because of the health of the position group.

The Broncos opted to keep seven interior defensive linemen on the roster for much of the season; most 3-4 teams typically roll with six. The strong training-camp and preseason form of Jordan Jackson and Enyi Uwazurike was a reason why they went heavy at the position group, but it ensured that they had two inactive defensive linemen for much of the season.

THE OUTLOOK:

Don’t expect Franklin-Myers to return. Now, it’s not that he wouldn’t welcome a chance to run it back with the guys he’s come to love in that defensive-line room. He made that clear late last month.

But interior defensive linemen with his level of pass-rush production — even amid a constellation of pass-rush stars headlined by Allen, a first-team All-Pro, and second-team All-Pro Nik Bonitto — will have suitors. That’s a premium skill set that will draw attention.

Franklin-Myers will provide an upgrade for plenty of teams. Look for the contract he receives to reflect that.