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The Denver Broncos would love to be able to re-sign free-agent defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers this offseason, but it seems inevitable that he will be offered a big contract by another team and will move on.
The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars have already been connected to Franklin-Myers through other predictions. However, Moe Moton of Bleacher Report identifies him as the "most important" free-agent signing for the Cincinnati Bengals, a team with more available salary cap space than both of those teams.
Moton had the following to say regarding the Bengals bringing in Franklin-Myers:
"Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has a strong supporting cast on the offensive side of the ball, with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, along with versatile running back Chase Brown.
The Bengals can help Burrow by strengthening their defense. Cincinnati has ranked 25th or worse in total yards and 21st or worse in points allowed for three consecutive seasons.
One could argue that the edge-rusher position is a more critical need because Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai have expiring contracts. Yet it's fair to be concerned about the entire defensive front after the Bengals gave up the most rushing yards last season.
At 6'4", 288 pounds, John Franklin-Myers has lined up in different spots across defensive lines, on the interior and on the end. In a three-down role, he's exactly what Cincinnati needs up front to help out the pass rush and run defense. Over the last two seasons with the Denver Broncos, the 29-year-old has recorded 65 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 44 pressures, and 14 tackles for loss".
The Bengals' defense has been among the league's worst for several seasons running, so adding Franklin-Myers makes sense. With nearly double the salary cap room the Broncos have, at least currently, the Bengals can offer him much more money.
A fourth-round pick in 2018, Franklin-Myers will be entering his ninth season in the league in 2026. But this will be the first time he's been a free agent.
Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, he was waived at the end of training camp that summer. The New York Jets claimed him on waivers and he spent the next five seasons there before being traded to the Broncos for a sixth-round pick during the 2024 NFL Draft.
MORE: Does 2025 NFL Draft redo show critical mistake made by Broncos?
Franklin-Myers will now get the luxury of selecting his next destination and though he would likely love to stay in Denver following the success the team has had in his two seasons there, money always talks.
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