Denver’s contract wave locks Courtland Sutton and Zach Allen into the long-term plan, with Nik Bonitto likely next in line for an extension. The Broncos also have John Franklin-Myers and Malcolm Roach on the 2026 free-agent radar, highlighting a mini-crisis of cost versus continuity in Denver’s front seven. Roach’s candid take—“I’m employee 97… the money’s going to take care of itself”—weights the business side of the NFL against on-field production as the team aims to repeat a strong 2025 showing and maximize the value of its core in 2026.

Roach’s blunt honesty underscores a broader reality: extensions today shape the 2026 landscape, and the Broncos are balancing present competitiveness with future cap implications. Last season, Roach delivered 43 tackles, eight QB hits, and 2.5 sacks as a rotational lineman, a footprint Denver hopes to expand in 2025 before the payday clock ticks again in 2026—whether in Denver or elsewhere. Sutton and Allen’s agreements solidify a high-floor offense and a disruptive defensive line as the team eyes another run at the league’s upper tier.

Beyond Sutton and Allen, the mix of younger edge and interior linemen—Bonitto, Franklin-Myers, and Roach—signals Denver’s blueprint: sustain pressure, protect the quarterback, and keep the offense equipped with reliable weapons. The Saints’ previous flirtation with Roach is a reminder of the market’s reality. As the 2025 campaign unfolds, the Broncos’ ability to translate on-field success into 2026 extensions will define their ceiling for fantasy managers and bettors alike.