Denver’s defense entered the 2026 offseason with a glaring hole: turnovers. Despite leading the league with 68 sacks and ranking in the top ten for run and pass defense, the Broncos produced only 14 takeaways in 2025, tied for 26th overall. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto and safety Talanoa Hufanga both said forcing fumbles and interceptions will be a top priority at camp.

Coordinator Vance Joseph has already framed the issue as a schematic tweak. He wants more defenders looking at the ball, blending man‑to‑man pressure with zone concepts that historically generate higher turnover rates. The plan includes drilling players to strip the quarterback during sacks and emphasizing ball awareness on third downs, a shift from pure pass rush to ball‑focused aggression.

The Broncos proved the concept works in the postseason, recording five takeaways in two playoff wins, including three fumble recoveries against Buffalo. Translating that burst into a regular‑season habit could tighten a defense that already excels in red‑zone efficiency (42.6%) and third‑down stops (33.8%). The upcoming training camp will test whether the turnover push reshapes Denver’s identity.