The Denver Broncos have officially arrived at the forefront of the NFL’s defensive elite. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes are fixated on the Mile High City, where a suffocating, unified, and razor-sharp defense has taken shape and now stands alone atop the league’s power rankings. With a rejuvenated scheme, a harmonious mix of seasoned veterans and explosive young talent, and the indomitable leadership of safety Justin Simmons, the Broncos enter the new campaign not only as contenders—but as the NFL’s premier defensive force.
After years of oscillating between flashes of promise and inconsistency, Denver has finally turned the corner. Much of this transformation can be attributed to the continuity now embedded in defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s system, which in 2024 found its rhythm. The Broncos ended the season as the league’s second-best scoring defense and top-five in nearly every key category: yards allowed, third-down efficiency, red-zone stops, and takeaways. But 2025 marks a new level entirely. Analysts, players, and scouts alike now agree—the Denver Broncos defense is the most complete and dangerous unit in the NFL.
The heart and soul of this defense is undoubtedly Justin Simmons. Entering his 10th season, the veteran free safety continues to redefine what excellence at his position looks like. Simmons is cerebral, athletic, and endlessly competitive. He led all NFL safeties in interceptions last season and was voted a first-team All-Pro for the third time in his career. More than just his on-field production, Simmons serves as the emotional pulse of the locker room. His film study habits are the stuff of legend, and his ability to diagnose plays pre-snap routinely puts the Broncos in position to thwart even the most high-powered offenses.
Yet, Simmons is far from alone. Denver’s front seven is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Led by pass-rushing phenom Baron Browning and bolstered by the emergence of Jonathon Cooper and Zach Allen, the Broncos bring relentless heat from all angles. Browning, whose blend of speed and bend off the edge has drawn comparisons to peak Von Miller, recorded a career-high 13.5 sacks in 2024 and seems poised to surpass that mark in 2025. Opposite him, Cooper continues to evolve into one of the league’s most underrated edge defenders, combining brute strength with savvy technique to collapse pockets with regularity.
Perhaps the most impactful addition to this fearsome front came during the offseason, when Denver signed defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in a blockbuster free-agent move. Wilkins, formerly of the Miami Dolphins, brings a commanding presence in the interior and elite run-stopping skills that make him nearly immovable at the point of attack. His ability to anchor the line, absorb double teams, and still generate interior pressure has already paid dividends during training camp and preseason scrimmages. With Wilkins clogging lanes inside, opposing offenses are quickly discovering that there’s simply nowhere to run.
And if you think throwing the ball is the answer, think again. Denver’s secondary is downright suffocating. Alongside Simmons, cornerback Pat Surtain II continues his ascent into superstardom. Widely considered one of the top two or three corners in the league, Surtain routinely shadows and neutralizes opposing WR1s. His size, footwork, and spatial awareness allow him to shut down one half of the field entirely, giving Joseph unparalleled flexibility with his coverages.
Moreover, nickelback Ja’Quan McMillian has quietly blossomed into a star in his own right. After taking over slot duties in late 2023, McMillian flourished throughout last season, consistently blanketing shiftier receivers and bringing down ball carriers with fierce tenacity. His ability to blitz from the slot adds yet another wrinkle to Denver’s multifaceted attack.
Denver’s linebacker corps, often considered the weakest link in previous years, has now become a dependable strength. Josey Jewell returned from injury and reestablished himself as a thumper and field general, while the development of Drew Sanders—an athletic, sideline-to-sideline missile—has added speed and dynamism to the group. Sanders’ versatility allows him to drop into coverage or rush off the edge, providing another Swiss Army knife in Joseph’s already deep toolkit.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this Denver defense isn’t just the talent, but the cohesion. Communication, discipline, and trust—traits often undervalued in stat sheets—are the very foundation of this unit. Simmons’ pre-snap adjustments, Surtain’s elite anticipation, and Wilkins’ ability to redirect blocking schemes have all elevated the Broncos from a strong defense to a surgical one. And the result has been unmistakable: quarterbacks are panicking, offensive coordinators are reeling, and Denver is dictating the tempo in every game they play.
Training camp practices have only confirmed what film and numbers suggest—this defense is playing faster, smarter, and meaner than any other in football. Multiple Broncos offensive players have gone on record stating that going against their own defense daily has made them significantly better. Russell Wilson, who’s fighting to retain his starting spot amid competition from rookie phenom Malik Murphy, said in May that the defense “doesn’t give you an inch. If you’re late on a throw, it’s a pick. If you miss a protection, you’re sacked. These guys are for real.”
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, now in his second stint with the Broncos and fully ingrained in the team’s DNA, has praised the leadership and growth he’s witnessed. “This is the smartest group I’ve coached,” Joseph said in a recent press conference. “They don’t just follow the plan—they elevate it. These guys communicate like a unit that’s been together for 10 years. When you combine that with the kind of athletic talent we have, you get something special.”
Special may even be an understatement. With Denver ranked #1 heading into the season, the comparisons to historic defenses are already surfacing. NFL Network’s Peter Schrager noted on a recent segment that “this Broncos unit reminds me of the 2015 Broncos, the 2000 Ravens, and even shades of the 1985 Bears. They’ve got playmakers at every level, and they hit like they’re angry you dared to show up.”
All this defensive dominance is coming at a crucial time for the franchise. The Broncos haven’t reached the playoffs since their Super Bowl 50 run in the 2015 season, and fans have grown restless after nearly a decade of mediocrity. The pressure on head coach Sean Payton to deliver in his second year is immense, but the defense may prove to be the tide that lifts all boats. Even if the offense takes time to gel, Denver knows it can win games by grinding opponents down and capitalizing on defensive field position.
Turnovers, a defining statistic for elite units, have become Denver’s calling card. The Broncos led the league in takeaways last year and are showing no signs of slowing down. In joint practices and preseason matchups, they’ve routinely forced fumbles, jumped routes, and blocked kicks. Simmons, Surtain, and McMillian have combined to create a virtual no-fly zone. Meanwhile, linebackers and linemen are scooping up loose balls and turning defense into offense in a flash.
The mental toughness of the squad cannot be overstated either. After a humiliating 70-point loss to the Miami Dolphins early last season, many thought the Broncos’ defense had hit rock bottom. Instead, they used it as a turning point. Since that infamous outing, Denver has allowed the fewest points per game in the league. The turnaround has been nothing short of historic—and the chip on their shoulder only makes them more dangerous.
Looking ahead to the regular season, Denver faces a challenging slate, including marquee matchups against Kansas City, Buffalo, and San Francisco. But rather than shy away, the Broncos’ defense is embracing the gauntlet. As Simmons said during OTA media availability, “We don’t care who lines up across from us. Every team has a plan—until we hit them in the mouth.”
That mindset, that fire, that hunger—it’s what sets this group apart. The 2025 Denver Broncos aren’t just a team with a good defense. They are the standard. The measuring stick. The nightmare that keeps offensive coordinators awake at night. And with Simmons steering the ship and a roster brimming with nastiness, technique, and unity, there’s little doubt: this defense is ready to wreak havoc all season long—and perhaps bring playoff football back to Denver once and for all.
