For this week’s survey, we’re asking fans whether this Broncos defense can be as good as the one in 2015 that propelled the franchise to its third Lombardi Trophy.
Last year the Broncos’ defense was once again in punishing mode, and by all measures the unit got better over the offseason.
So it’s not absurd to think the 2025 version could be one of the best ever in Denver. But will it be better than in 2015?
Even with Pat Surtain ready to follow up his Defensive Player of the Year honor a second year
in a row and Nik Bonitto poised to once again do everything on the field a defender can do — tackle for a loss, sack, intercept, pick up a fumble — it would be hard to beat the magic of that 2015 squad.
Wade Phillips, the Broncos’ defensive mastermind, engineered a crew that led the league in total defense (283.1 yards allowed per game), pass defense (199.6 yards allowed per game), and sacks (52).
The No Fly Zone made it nearly impossible for a quarterback to find an open receiver before Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware could mow him over. And if the QB did escape, he’d run into a brick wall known as Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe. Even the inside linebackers, speerheaded by Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall, could hold their own in the middle.
I am personally pretty partial to that 2015 D because of how often (like literally every game) they would find a way to win in the final seconds. So nerve-wracking and so unbelievably fun.
But I won’t be mad if Vance Joseph, Surtain and Bonitto find a way to bring this 2025 group into contention for best ever.
