After a very disappointing 5-12 finish in the 2022 season, the Denver Broncos are gearing up for what they and their fans hope will be a banner 2023 campaign.
The franchise hasn’t made the playoffs since 2015 when it won the Super Bowl in Peyton Manning’s final season, but it has some new hope now.
They hired Sean Payton to be their new head coach and Vance Joseph as their defensive coordinator, and now they have added defensive end Zach Allen on a three-year contract.
Former Cardinals’ DE Zach Allen reached agreement on a three-year, $45.75 million deal that includes $32.5 million guaranteed at signing with the Broncos, per source. Allen is reunited with Denver DC Vance Joseph. pic.twitter.com/34nwEbx900
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2023
Allen has spent his entire four-year pro career with the Arizona Cardinals, and this past season he had 5.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss and eight passes defended, all of which were career-highs.
He did so while playing under Joseph, who was the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator ever since he was a third-round draft pick in 2018.
All told, the Broncos’ defense wasn’t that bad in 2022.
They ranked 14th in points allowed and seventh in total yards given up, as well as fifth in passing touchdowns allowed.
Indeed, it was their offense that was wretched, as it ranked last in points scored this past season.
Quarterback Russell Wilson looked like a shell of his old self in his maiden voyage in Denver, and if he fails to regain anything resembling his old form, the team will have to claw its way into playoff contention with its defense.
They were able to retain linebacker Alex Singleton on Monday by agreeing with him on a three-year deal.
Singleton led the Broncos in 2022 with 163 tackles (101 solo).
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The Broncos Have Announced A Massive New Contract With Veteran Lineman
