Secure the disruptive defensive lineman before rivals poach him. His rising stock demands a swift contract extension to maintain Denver's elite defense.
The Denver Broncos' defense is elite. Its ability to get to the quarterback, stop the rushing game, and defend in the passing game has made them the best defense in the league, according to many.
Defensive lineman John Franklin-Meyers has been a contributor to that stellar defense, even if his name doesn’t reach as many headlines as the likes of Nik Bonitto or Zach Allen. He is also set to become a free agent after this season, likely to command a deal upwards of $10 million annually.
Securing an extension with Franklin-Meyers needs to be a priority for the Broncos. Many of Denver’s key defensive players are secured under contracts, but Franklin-Meyers has yet to receive his deserved extension.
The 29-year-old joined the Broncos in 2024 from the New York Jets and immediately had his best season yet. Franklin-Meyers recorded seven sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 40 combined tackles in his first season in Denver. So far in 2025, Franklin-Meyers is yet again having a career year.
Through nine games, eight of which he started, the seven-year veteran has four sacks and four tackles for loss while playing just 50% of the defensive snaps. He ranks fourth on Denver’s defense in sacks and is tied for second in tackles for loss. Playing alongside defensive end Zach Allen, the Broncos have a nasty one-two punch.
It’s been so successful that the Broncos need to retain it and extend Franklin-Meyers’ contract before he hits the open market. He will become one of the best free agent defensive linemen to hit free agency if Denver fails to extend him, making the likelihood of a return much more difficult.
In a recent Bleacher Report article by Kristopher Knox, Franklin-Meyers was ranked the seventh-best free agent after the trade deadline. With the eyes set to be on him in free agency, the Broncos would be wise to lock him down as soon as possible.
"While Franklin-Myers has never made the Pro Bowl, he's a disruptive front-line defender with a high motor and positional versatility," Knox said. "He should command a bit more than the $10.8 million-per-year salary DeMarcus Lawrence got last offseason."