BREAKING: Broncos Star DE Informs Denver He Will Not Return Next Season

Denver Broncos appear set to lose one of their most reliable and productive veterans from the defensive front as the offseason approaches.

According to sources around the league, the veteran defensive lineman has informed people close to the organization that he does not expect to return to Denver once the new league year begins.

The situation stems largely from stalled contract negotiations. With the Broncos currently navigating salary-cap considerations—despite having around $25-35 million in space—and multiple roster priorities heading into free agency, talks between the team and the veteran failed to produce a new agreement, especially after extensions for key front-seven players like Zach Allen, Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, D.J. Jones, and others shifted the defensive line outlook.

That player is John Franklin-Myers, whose deal with Denver will officially expire when the NFL’s new league year begins on March 11.

Despite the relatively short stint since joining via trade, Franklin-Myers made a noticeable impact during his time in Denver, providing interior pass rush and run-stopping ability as a rotational defensive lineman.

In two seasons with the Broncos, he produced strong numbers across the board. The veteran recorded 14.5 sacks (one of the league's top interior totals during that span), 14 tackles for loss, 33 quarterback hits, and consistent disruption against the run, helping Denver set franchise sack records in back-to-back years.

Those contributions highlighted his effectiveness as a versatile interior defender capable of pressuring quarterbacks and anchoring the line in sub-packages.

Even with that production, Denver’s front-seven depth and recent extensions have complicated any attempt to retain him long-term. The team is navigating roster adjustments and could prioritize youth or other upgrades, making it difficult to match what Franklin-Myers could command on the open market as a top option at his position.

The veteran defender has already drawn interest from multiple teams as free agency approaches.

He is widely viewed as one of the premier interior defensive linemen hitting free agency, with projections around the $20 million threshold in discussions due to limited competition at the spot. Teams needing disruptive interior help are believed to be monitoring his situation and could pursue the 29-year-old once the legal tampering period begins.

For the Broncos, his expected departure represents another significant defensive decision in an offseason already shaped by salary-cap management, extensions for core defenders, and pushing for continued contention.

Unless something changes dramatically before free agency opens, it now appears that John Franklin-Myers’ time in Denver is coming to an end.