Pay to Maintain Front for the Denver Broncos

For the Denver Broncos, a franchise built on legendary defensive fronts (think the “Orange Crush” of the 1970s), maintaining their current elite defensive line has become a financial and strategic imperative. After years of inconsistent play up front, the 2025 Broncos have reestablished a dominant defensive front that ranks top-5 in the NFL in sacks (42) and run-stop percentage (78%), forming the backbone of their league-leading red zone defense. But this success is at risk: key members of the front—including defensive tackle Zach Allen and defensive end Jonathan Harris—are set to hit free agency, and retaining them will require significant salary-cap investment. In a league where elite defensive lines win championships, the Broncos face a clear choice: open their wallet to keep their core or risk watching their defensive dominance unravel. Pay to Maintain Front for the Denver Broncos is a story of prioritization, as a team must decide whether to invest in the unit that has been the engine of its recent resurgence.

The Broncos’ defensive front’s impact extends far beyond sacks and tackles—it shapes the entire defense, making life easier for linebackers, secondary players, and even the offense. Defensive tackles Malcolm Roach (signed through 2028) and Allen have formed a formidable interior pair, clogging gaps to limit opposing running backs to just 3.8 yards per carry—the fourth-lowest mark in the NFL. This run-stopping dominance forces teams to pass more, which plays into the strengths of edge rushers Bradley Chubb (12 sacks) and Nik Bonitto (8 sacks), who thrive on one-on-one matchups with offensive tackles. The front’s ability to generate pressure without blitzing (they rank 6th in blitz rate) also shields the secondary, allowing cornerbacks like Pat Surtain II to play tighter coverage without fear of quarterbacks having extra time to throw. In their Week 8 win over the Bills, the front recorded 5 sacks and held Buffalo to 68 rushing yards, forcing Josh Allen into 3 interceptions. This kind of performance isn’t accidental—it’s the product of a cohesive, talented front that works in sync. Losing even one key member of this group would disrupt the balance, forcing the Broncos to overcompensate with blitzes or shift players out of their natural positions. Pay to Maintain Front for the Denver Broncos is about protecting this delicate ecosystem that makes the entire defense tick.

The most pressing financial decision for the Broncos is whether to re-sign Zach Allen, a 27-year-old defensive tackle who has emerged as Roach’s perfect partner. Allen, who signed a one-year “prove-it” deal with Denver in 2025, has exceeded expectations: he’s recorded 45 tackles, 4 sacks, and 18 quarterback pressures, while ranking 11th among defensive tackles in pass-rush win rate (18.2%) per Pro Football Focus. His ability to play both 1-technique (nose tackle) and 3-technique (defensive tackle) gives the Broncos scheme flexibility, and he’s been a leader in the locker room—especially for younger linemen like Bonitto. Re-signing Allen won’t come cheap: he’s expected to command a 4-year deal worth \(56–60 million (\)14–15 million per year), which would make him one of the 10 highest-paid defensive tackles in the NFL. While that’s a significant investment, it’s justified by his impact—teams with elite interior defensive linemen win 12% more games than those without, according to NFL analytics. The Broncos also face a decision on Jonathan Harris, a rotational defensive end who has 5 sacks in limited snaps. Harris is likely to seek a 2-year deal worth $12–14 million, a more modest price tag but one that still factors into Denver’s cap plans. Pay to Maintain Front for the Denver Broncos hinges on these two signings, as losing Allen would create a gaping hole in the interior that no current backup can fill.

The Denver Broncos’ salary-cap situation complicates these decisions, but it’s not insurmountable with strategic restructures and cuts. Entering 2026 free agency, the Broncos have approximately \(18 million in projected cap space—enough to sign Allen if they make adjustments elsewhere. The most obvious move is restructuring Bradley Chubb’s contract: Chubb is set to earn \)26 million in 2026, but converting \(15 million of his base salary to a signing bonus would free up \)12 million in cap space, bringing Denver’s total available funds to around \(30 million. The Broncos can also create additional space by releasing underperforming players, such as guard Dalton Risner (who has allowed 6 sacks and committed 8 penalties) or tight end Greg Dulcich (who has just 15 receptions in 10 games), which would save an additional \)12 million combined. These moves would allow the Broncos to sign Allen, retain Harris, and still have room to address other needs (like offensive guard or backup quarterback). The Denver Broncos’ front office has a history of making these kinds of cap-friendly moves—they restructured Surtain’s contract in 2024 to free up space for J.K. Dobbins—and they’ll need to do so again to keep the defensive front intact. Pay to Maintain Front for the Denver Broncos is about making smart financial choices, not just throwing money at the problem.

Another factor in the Denver Broncos’ decision to pay for their defensive front is the lack of viable replacements in the upcoming draft or free agency. The 2026 NFL Draft class is thin at defensive tackle, with no clear first-round prospects who can step in and replace Allen’s production immediately. The free-agent market for defensive tackles is also underwhelming—outside of Allen, the top options are 31-year-old D.J. Jones (who has seen his production decline) and 29-year-old Vita Vea (who would command a contract similar to Allen’s but has a history of injuries). This scarcity means the Broncos can’t afford to let Allen walk; if they do, they’ll likely have to settle for a downgrade, which would ripple through the entire defense. The Denver Broncos also know from experience the cost of rebuilding a defensive front: between 2020–2023, they spent $42 million on free-agent defensive linemen who failed to pan out, leading to a bottom-10 defense in 2022. Rebuilding is expensive and risky—retaining a proven core is far more cost-effective in the long run. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the choice is clear: pay to keep the front intact or risk starting over. Pay to Maintain Front for the Denver Broncos is about avoiding the mistakes of the past and building on current success.

Looking ahead, the Denver Broncos’ willingness to invest in their defensive front will define their championship window. If they re-sign Allen and Harris, they’ll return a unit that can go toe-to-toe with the NFL’s best offenses (like the Chiefs or 49ers) and keep the defense among the league’s elite for the next 3–4 years. If they let Allen walk, they’ll likely see their run defense regress, their pass rush become less effective, and their secondary face more pressure—all of which would derail their Super Bowl hopes. The Denver Broncos have a rare opportunity to build a dynasty around a dominant defense, but it requires financial commitment. For fans who remember the “Orange Crush” era, this is a chance to recapture that magic—to have a defense that strikes fear into opponents and wins games on its own. Allen, Roach, Chubb, and Bonitto aren’t just players—they’re the modern-day heirs to that legacy. Paying to keep them together isn’t just a financial decision; it’s a commitment to the Broncos’ identity as a defensive powerhouse. Pay to Maintain Front for the Denver Broncos is the final piece of the puzzle for a team that’s ready to return to the top of the NFL—and stay there.