​Zach Allen stands among the top defensive linemen in the NFL, a proven leader on a defense that is widely regarded as one of the league’s best. While his name appears on the NFL’s Top 100 list at No. 73, Allen’s ambitions extend far beyond individual recognition. Speaking with The Denver Post on Thursday, he projected that his unit will make history this season by setting a new NFL record for sacks in a single campaign. According to Allen, the Broncos are positioned to shatter the current mark, and he shared his confidence in the group’s ability to reach such a historic milestone.
In his discussion with the Post, Allen emphasized the ongoing emphasis on growth and adaptation that defines success at the NFL level. He noted that a combination of sustained improvement and strategic play-calling will be crucial. Allen highlighted the impact of defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, affectionately nicknamed “V.J.,” whose play designs and blitz packages he believes will maximize one-on-one opportunities for the Broncos’ front seven. He also pointed out that Denver’s roster is loaded with talented players who have the potential to create mismatches and generate pressure, thereby increasing the number of sack opportunities for the defense.
“In this league, you’ve kind of always got to keep on finding ways to get better and adjusting and all that,” Allen said. “It also helps when you’ve got ‘V.J.’ dialing stuff up that helps us get one-on-ones. We’ve got a lot of good guys, and that’s going to create a lot of opportunities for people. We came close to the sack record last year, and we fully expect to break it this year.”
Last season, Allen reminded fans and analysts alike that the Broncos were very near to achieving an NFL sack record. Denver finished the year with 68 sacks, placing them just shy of the ultimate benchmark. The record, set by the Chicago Bears in 1984, stands at 72 sacks in a single season. With Allen anchoring the defensive line, alongside one of the league’s most dangerous pass rushers in Nik Bonitto, and under Joseph’s seasoned leadership as the defensive mastermind, the Broncos appear poised to push that mark even higher in the coming season.
The possibility of breaking the sack record is elevated by the synergy among Denver’s defensive components. Allen’s presence at the core of the line, paired with Bonitto’s speed and versatility off the edge, creates frequent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Joseph’s scheme is designed to maximize those opportunities, using stunts, twists, and well-timed blitzes to displace blocking assignments and open lanes for rushers. This dynamic is complemented by a secondary unit that can hold up, buy time, and keep receivers from turning quick pressures into big plays, allowing the front to sustain relentless pressure week after week.
The Broncos’ path to a franchise-record sack season will hinge on several factors working in concert. First, health and depth along the defensive line are essential, ensuring that the pass rush remains disruptive even when rotations come into play. Second, the unit’s chemistry and communication must stay sharp, particularly in recognizing offensive line tendencies and exploiting their tendencies. Third, the coaching staff’s willingness to innovate and adapt—by mixing coverages, disguising pressures, and varying the rush concepts—will be critical in transforming the potential into actual production.
For fans and evaluators, the prospect of Denver setting a new sack record adds a layer of intrigue to a team already recognized for its defensive prowess. Allen’s confidence reflects not only his personal ambition but also his faith in the cohesion and talent of the entire Broncos defense. If they can translate those expectations into consistent pressure across the season, Denver could etch its name into NFL history and deliver a standout season for a unit led by one of the league’s most dynamic front-fives.
In sum, Zach Allen has underscored a bold objective for the Broncos: break the NFL record for sacks in a season. His conviction rests on the combination of a high-performing defensive line, a top-tier pass rusher in Nik Bonitto, and the strategic acumen of Vance Joseph’s play-calling. With those elements aligned, Denver’s defense could realize a historic achievement, turning a near-miss from last year into a defining milestone for 2026.