It’s leverage season for defensive linemen across the NFL.
The Steelers’ TJ Watt skipped Pittsburgh’s OTAs. The Cowboys’ Micah Parsons has popped in and out of voluntary workouts amid an ugly contract dispute in Dallas. The Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson showed up at Cincinnati’s offseason program just to tell reporters things had gotten “personal” with the Bengals in a fight for an extension.
And as the Broncos enter the summer months facing a slew of financial decisions around a top-tier defensive line, one of their most impactful pass-rushers — and contract-extension hopefuls — wasn’t at OTAs on Thursday. DE John Franklin-Myers, entering the final year of a two-year deal with Denver after a 2024 draft-weekend trade with the Jets, was the only member of his position group not present.
His agent, Cliff Brady, however, told The Denver Post in a text that Franklin-Myers had “no contract issues” and would be present for Denver’s mandatory minicamp in June.
“He’s currently working his (butt) off to have the best season of his career,” Brady told The Post.
Indeed, Franklin-Myers has spent much of the offseason training in Texas with pass-rush guru BT Jordan, who’s done frequent work with Broncos players and was at OTAs himself Thursday. Even after a 2024 season racking up seven sacks and 53 pressures, though, Franklin-Myers may find himself staring down a rough road to a deal, as the Broncos also have to consider shelling out a payday to 2024 second-team All-Pros Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto.
Head coach Sean Payton, for his part, said conversations with Franklin-Myers in the offseason had been “all good.”
“No, this is all voluntary,” Payton said when asked if there was any surprise at Franklin-Myers’ absence. “And, so, he’s had a good offseason.”
Other absences: The biggest name missing from OTAs Thursday was cornerback and Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II. There’s little cause for concern there, though, as the Broncos quite literally just unveiled a mural of Surtain, who was present for that, in downtown Denver on Wednesday.
Returning safety JL Skinner and receiver AT Perry, as well as recently signed tight end Cole Fotheringham and defensive tackle Kristian Williams, also weren’t seen practicing. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw wasn’t actively participating, but was still dressed in his jersey and present as he rehabs a quad injury.
Running-back jumble: Payton has repeatedly referenced one Darren Sproles in public discussion of rookie RB RJ Harvey, and Broncos quarterback Bo Nix added a few more breadcrumbs to the trail Thursday.
“He can run the ball, but I think it’s the other things that he’s showing,” Nix said of Harvey. “Just the routes, and … some quickness and hands.”
It’s not hard to fit the puzzle together, then, of how the Broncos’ RB rotation could look. Fact: Payton likes multiple bodies in the backfield. Fact: Harvey will make some sort of impact for Denver in the pass game this year, and play on third down. Another fact: the Broncos still like Audric Estime, a fifth-round pick in 2023 who had a rocky rookie season.
“He’s a back that requires enough touches,” Payton said Thursday. “He’s gonna get those opportunities.”
Pretty obvious endorsement. The framework is clear, then, for a tandem between the 227-pound Estime and shifty rookie Harvey. Power and speed.
The question, then, is how returning Jaleel McLaughlin and Blake Watson factor in. Both got a heavy share of reps Thursday, and McLaughlin was as impressive as ever, his burst popping on several carries. Tyler Badie, who had a few big runs before a season-altering injury in 2023, is also in the mix. The difference to earning some reps, and cracking Denver’s roster, might come in pass protection, where someone will need to replace the steadiness that now-departed Javonte Williams brought.
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Originally Published: May 29, 2025 at 2:18 PM MDT
