Can Denver Broncos’ Pass Rush Lead the NFL in Sacks Again in 2026?

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos built one of the NFL’s most dominant pass rushes over the past two seasons, and now the challenge is proving they can remain at the top. Denver recorded an NFL-best 68 sacks in 2025, following a 63-sack campaign in 2024. The Broncos’ 131 sacks over those two seasons are the most by an NFL team across consecutive seasons since the Chicago Bears produced the same total in 1986 and 1987.

With the 2026 season arriving, opponents have had an entire offseason to study how to slow down Denver’s defensive front. The Broncos, however, aren't approaching the season focused on chasing another sack record. “We don’t chase them; we try to earn them,” defensive tackle Zach Allen said. That mentality has been a major part of Denver’s defensive success. The Broncos finished last season with five games in which they held opponents without an offensive touchdown and had 17 different players record at least half a sack.

The unit also remains loaded with several of its biggest stars. Allen, edge rusher Nik Bonitto and cornerback Pat Surtain II have all earned All-Pro recognition during Denver’s recent defensive surge. Their return gives defensive coordinator Vance Joseph a strong foundation as the Broncos attempt to maintain their production. Still, there are important changes to the group. John Franklin-Myers left during free agency, while edge rusher Jonathon Cooper will begin the season on the commissioner’s exempt list following two offseason arrests connected to alleged domestic violence. Cooper finished second on the Broncos with eight sacks last season.

Denver will look to Jonah Elliss and Que Robinson to absorb some of the opportunities created by Cooper’s absence. Robinson, a fourth-round selection in 2025, recorded one of Denver’s two preseason sacks and led the team with three pressures during the preseason. Elliss is also expected to see an increased role alongside Bonitto. George Paton said the Broncos remain confident in the depth of the position group, pointing to Robinson, Elliss, Dondrea Tillman and Bonitto as players capable of contributing. The Broncos also understand that opposing offenses may approach them differently this season. Denver was particularly effective on early downs last year. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, opposing offenses posted a 34% success rate on first down against the Broncos, the league’s best mark. That success helped Denver create difficult passing situations later in drives. The Broncos recorded 12 sacks on second down and a league-leading 30 sacks on third down.

Joseph expects opponents to adjust. Quarterbacks could get the ball out faster, attack more frequently on first down and use movement to make themselves more difficult targets for Denver’s pass rush. That could make sack totals more difficult to replicate, but the Broncos believe their defensive philosophy can still create opportunities. The season begins Monday night in Kansas City against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Mahomes is returning from the ACL injury that ended his 2025 season, giving Denver an immediate test against one of the league’s most accomplished quarterbacks.

The Broncos will face plenty of other dangerous quarterbacks throughout the season, including Matthew Stafford, Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert, Brock Purdy, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen and Drake Maye. For Denver, the goal isn't necessarily to duplicate 68 sacks.

It is to continue forcing offenses into uncomfortable situations. “We all do our assignments so we all can make plays,” Allen said. “If we do that then sacks come, turnovers come, we get stops and we can talk about wins. And that’s what matters.”