The Denver Broncos are staring down a unique decision when it comes to defensive end John Franklin-Myers.
In some circles, the Broncos are being looked at as dark horse contenders in the AFC — a possible Super Bowl team — thanks largely to having what’s regarded as the NFL’s best defense.
That defense established itself as one of the NFL’s best in 2024 as Denver made the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Franklin-Myers was a key part of that defense. Acquired in a trade with the New York Jets in exchange for a sixth round pick in April 2024, he signed a 2-year, $15 million restructured contract with the Broncos the same day as the trade.
In his first season with the Broncos, Franklin-Myers was borderline elite with 40 tackles, 7.0 sacks, 8 TFL and 18 QB hits while playing in all 17 regular season games with 16 starts.
Bleacher Repoort’s Kristopher Knox thinks the Broncos’ depth, along with Franklin-Myers’ contract situation, makes him the team’s top trade candidate. Franklin-Myers skipped OTAs this offseason but is in training camp.
“Denver Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers will be a free agent in 2026 and has been angling for a new contract this offseason,” Knox wrote on August 7. ” … Presumably, Franklin-Myers would bring a respectable return after logging 40 tackles and seven sacks in 2024. There should be multiple teams willing to acquire and extend him.”
Plenty of Depth on Interior Defensive Line
If we can look at things objectively, it becomes pretty clear the Broncos have the depth on the interior defensive line that trading Franklin-Myers shouldn’t slow the defense down.
Not only do they have NFL All-Pro Zach Allen at the other defensive end spot, there’s another standout with nose tackle D.J. Jones in the middle. What makes Franklin-Myers expendable in a trade are 2 players behind him and Allen on the depth chart. The Broncos have faith both Malcolm Roach and Sai’vion Jones can step in and be productive starters if needed.
Allen (4 years, $102 million), edge rusher Jonathon Cooper (4 years, $60 million) and Jones (3 years, $39 million) have all received new deals in the last years. The biggest contract on defense is probably still yet to come with NFL All-Pro edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who could very well land something in the neighborhood of a 4-year, $120 million contract extension, if not more.
JFM Could Land Another Payday in NFC South
One team who might be willing to trade for Franklin-Myers right now, give him the money he wants and give the Broncos something they desperately need in return is the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers have used their last 2 first round picks on wide receivers with Xavier Legette (2024) and Tetairoa McMillan (2025) but still have veteran and 2-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Adam Thielen on the roster. The Broncos don’t have a proven wide receiver option after Courtland Sutton, who is coming off his second career 1,000 yard receiving season and signed a 4-year, $92 million contract extension on July 28.
Trading Franklin-Myers to the Panthers in exchange for Thielen and a sixth or seventh round pick might be a viable deal on both sides.
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