Sanders has missed 30 of the last 34 regular-season games across the past two seasons, including all of the 2025 campaign due to a foot injury. The 2026 plan centers on getting him healthy and contributing as part of Denver’s edge-rush group.
If Sanders resumes his role at OLB, he would provide the Broncos with stronger depth behind edge-rush leaders Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, who signed a $60 million contract extension in 2025. The team has shown a willingness to rotate and redefine roles to maximize its defensive front.
In a related shift, reports have indicated that Jonah Elliss could move from edge rusher to inside linebacker, signaling a broader reshuffling of the Broncos’ second unit as they look to maintain elite defensive performance for a third consecutive year.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has acknowledged that Elliss will take some snaps at inside linebacker, underscoring the coaching staff’s emphasis on versatility and multiple looks for their defense.
Overall, Denver’s strategic position tinkering reflects a broader objective: sustaining a stout, flexible defense while opportunities arise for younger players to contribute, with the ultimate goal of preserving the franchise’s defensive standard in 2026.
