Broncos not eyeing an extension for DL John Franklin-Myers - Denver’s D-Line Future Is Up for Grabs
Like last year, the Denver Broncos have completed a few extensions for starters in-season. Over the past two days, Denver has paid center Luke Wattenberg and defensive tackle Malcolm Roach. This came shortly after Wil Lutz‘s payday.
This continues a mission to retain core players, as the team re-upped Courtland Sutton, Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto during the summer. While the Broncos’ 2026 free agency figures to bring less noise as a result, the team still has a notable contract-year player. John Franklin-Myers is still unsigned for 2026, and it does not appear that will change this season.
Franklin-Myers said in September he was not expecting a Broncos extension, and the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson offers more on that front. The team has not expressed interest in extending Franklin-Myers, who has been a two-year starter since being acquired from the Jets via trade.
The team used its bye week, along with the stretch before returning to post-bye practices this week, to extend Lutz, Wattenberg and Roach. Lutz’s deal covers three years and is worth $16.1M, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Lutz received a $5.2M signing bonus and is due $9M guaranteed. Kicking on Sean Payton-coached teams for all but one of his 10 NFL seasons, Lutz is positioned to continue in that capacity for the foreseeable future. Wattenberg, a fourth-year center, agreed to a four-year, $48M deal; a D-tackle who followed Payton from New Orleans, Roach accepted a three-year, $24M Broncos deal.
This next batch of games, however, could be Franklin-Myers’ last as a Bronco. The former Rams and Jets contributor expects to hit free agency and said (via Tomasson) some disappointment exists about not being offered an extension. While Franklin-Myers said he still has interest in re-signing, the Broncos’ slew of commitments — along with the D-lineman’s value — points him out of Colorado come March.
Although Allen and Bonitto spearhead a Broncos pass rush that has also seen consistent play from edge rusher Jonathon Cooper — as the team’s 49 sacks lead the NFL by a wide margin — Franklin-Myers has played well as a role player. Used as a D-end starter in the Broncos’ 3-4 scheme, Franklin-Myers has been effective rushing from D-tackle and D-end posts in his career. The Jets deployed him more as an outside rusher, while the Broncos have aligned him inside more often during his two-year tenure. The 29-year-old pass rusher has 4.5 sacks and eight QB hits this season. He finished with seven and 18, respectively, in his Denver debut last year.
Next year marks what could be Franklin-Myers’ last chance to fetch a notable contract. He signed a four-year, $55M Jets deal — one the team shed following the Haason Reddick trade — and reworked it upon being moved, receiving a two-year, $15M pact from the Broncos. That has proven to be a good value play for Denver, but the solid production received points Franklin-Myers toward a 2026 raise.
While the Broncos did re-sign nose tackle D.J. Jones just before free agency this year, they now have five front-seven pieces (Jones, Allen, Bonitto, Cooper, Roach) signed to extensions. That will make keeping Franklin-Myers quite difficult, as an eight-figure-per-year deal likely awaits.
Elsewhere on the Broncos’ depth chart, the team is still searching for running back help following J.K. Dobbins‘ Lisfranc injury. After placing Dobbins on IR, the Broncos made what 9News’ Mike Klis labels a strong pursuit for Dameon Pierce. The former Texans backup joined the Chiefs’ practice squad. Denver has RJ Harvey positioned as a starter now, with Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie in place as backups.
Chicago Bears Get Best News Ever Before Eagles Game
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The Chicago Bears just got some incredible news heading into their Black Friday game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Chicago Bears are hot, and the NFL is taking notice. The team pulled off a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, November 23, taking their record to 8-3. Now, the Bears are considered one of the major contenders in the NFL, and it just goes to show how quickly new head coach Ben Johnson has turned this franchise around.
But, they have a tough game up ahead. On Black Friday, November 28, the team will take on the Philadelphia Eagles, who are also 8-3. But, the Eagles are not infallible, so the Bears truly have a chance.
One of the biggest turnarounds for the Bears has been Johnson’s ability to work with and develop quarterback Caleb Williams. Following a lackluster rookie season with the team, Johnson is helping Williams become the kind of quarterback that Chicago truly thought he would eventually become. The Bears drafted Williams with their No. 1 overall pick during the 2024 NFL draft, and they expect him to deliver.
Now, heading into the Eagles game, the Bears got even better news about their place in the NFL. It feels so good.
The Chicago Bears Are No. 1
The Chicago Bears are still No. 1 in the NFC North, even after the Detroit Lions won their game against the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings last weekend.
It’s incredible to see a team that was at the bottom of the NFC North last season already at the top. They’ve worked for it and earned it.
So, that’s some wind on the backs of the Bears before the Eagles game. But, Neil Parker of Yahoo Sports has some different thoughts.
“The Chicago Bears continue to find ways to win games despite ranking among the worst statistical defenses in the NFL,” he notes in a preview feature out on Monday, November 24. “Chicago has allowed the sixth-most points per game, third-highest yards per game, and ranked 26th in defensive DVOA heading into Week 12, after all.”
He adds that he thinks the Eagles will “have their way on offense and continue their dominant run at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday. Philly has covered the number in nine of its past 12 home games, including winning 15 of 16 straight-up.” He also notes that the Eagles will be “looking to kick the sour taste of allowing the Dallas Cowboys to score 24 unanswered to win in Week 12.”
More Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles Takes
NBC Sports’ Pro Football Network is also shaky on the Bears. “Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are looking to bounce back after their collapse last weekend in Dallas,” they note. “Philly coughed up a 21-point lead to ultimately lose, 24-21. Winners of four straight, the Bears are one of the surprise teams in the NFL.” But, they add that “Williams and co. knocked off the Steelers last week at Soldier Field.”
They add that, “Running the ball has been paramount to Chicago’s success. If the Eagles’ run defense can shut down the tandem of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, avoiding the unrelenting Philly pass rush will be Williams’ biggest challenge of the season to date.”
So, let’s prove these predictions wrong and see Chicago pull off a lopsided victory. What a way to spend a Black Friday.
