Defensive Schemes Evolve for the Denver Broncos

In the NFL, a static defense is a vulnerable defense—and the Denver Broncos have embraced this truth in 2025, evolving their defensive schemes to counter the league’s most dynamic offenses. What began as a traditional 4-3 base defense early in the season has transformed into a flexible, multi-front system that blends zone coverage, blitz packages, and situational adjustments, all tailored to exploit opponents’ weaknesses. This evolution hasn’t happened by accident; it’s the result of defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s willingness to adapt, feedback from key players, and a focus on maximizing the team’s unique strengths—from Nik Bonitto’s speed off the edge to Pat Surtain II’s lockdown coverage. Defensive Schemes Evolve for the Denver Broncos explores how these tactical shifts have turned the Broncos’ defense from a solid unit into one of the AFC’s most feared, driving their surge toward the playoffs.

The Broncos’ defensive evolution started with a critical adjustment to their base formation, moving from a strict 4-3 to a “hybrid 4-3/3-4” look that keeps offenses guessing. Early in the season, opposing teams exploited the 4-3’s predictability, using quick passes and zone runs to avoid the Broncos’ pass rush. Joseph and his staff responded by adding a third linebacker to the field in 60% of defensive snaps, shifting to a 3-4 alignment that allows more flexibility in blitzes and coverage. For example, in this hybrid look, edge rusher Nik Bonitto can line up as a stand-up linebacker or a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end, forcing offensive tackles to prepare for both speed rushes and power moves. “The hybrid system lets us play to our personnel’s strengths,” Joseph explained. “We have versatile players, so why limit them to one role?” This shift was immediately effective: in the first four games (with the traditional 4-3), the Broncos allowed 24.5 points per game; in the next six (with the hybrid look), that number dropped to 18.1. Defensive Schemes Evolve for the Denver Broncos emphasizes that this base formation tweak was the first step in the Broncos’ defensive transformation, laying the groundwork for more targeted adjustments.

A key part of the Broncos’ scheme evolution has been their increased use of “variable blitz packages,” designed to confuse quarterbacks and disrupt timing. Instead of relying on predictable blitzes from linebackers, Joseph now calls blitzes from every position—cornerbacks, safeties, even defensive tackles—often hiding the rush until the snap. One of their most effective new blitzes is the “safety blitz from the slot”: safety Justin Simmons lines up in the slot as if he’s covering a receiver, then sprints toward the quarterback at the snap, taking advantage of the element of surprise. This blitz has resulted in 5 sacks and 8 quarterback hits this season, including a game-changing takedown of Patrick Mahomes in Week 6. The Broncos also use “stunt blitzes” more frequently, where defensive linemen swap positions to loop around offensive blockers, creating mismatches for Bonitto and defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones. “Blitzing isn’t just about sending more players—it’s about sending the right players at the right time,” said Broncos linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite. This focus on variability has made the Broncos’ pass rush one of the league’s most unpredictable, with quarterbacks now forced to scan the field for potential rushers instead of focusing on receivers. Defensive Schemes Evolve for the Denver Broncos highlights that these blitz innovations have turned the Broncos’ pass rush from a one-dimensional threat into a multi-faceted attack.

The Denver Broncos have also evolved their coverage schemes, shifting from heavy man-to-man to a “zone-man hybrid” that balances lockdown coverage with playmaking opportunities. Early in the season, man-to-man coverage left the secondary vulnerable to deep passes, as receivers used double moves to beat defenders. Joseph adjusted by incorporating more zone coverage—specifically, a “Cover 3 Cloud” look where the cornerbacks drop back into zone coverage but have the freedom to press receivers at the line if needed. This hybrid approach plays to the strengths of Surtain II, who excels at both press coverage and reading quarterbacks to jump routes. In Week 8 against the Chargers, this scheme paid off: Surtain dropped into zone, read Justin Herbert’s eyes, and intercepted a pass intended for Keenan Allen, returning it 35 yards to set up a touchdown. The Broncos also use “Cover 2 Man” in short-yardage situations, where two safeties split the deep field while cornerbacks and linebackers play man-to-man, preventing both deep passes and short gains. For the Denver Broncos, this coverage evolution has reduced big plays (they’ve allowed just 12 passes of 25+ yards since Week 5) and increased turnovers (12 interceptions in that span). Defensive Schemes Evolve for the Denver Broncos shows that the Denver Broncos’ coverage adjustments have turned their secondary from a liability into a strength, complementing their dominant pass rush.

Another layer of the Denver Broncos’ defensive evolution is their situational scheme tweaks—tailoring their approach to specific opponents and game scenarios. For example, when facing mobile quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, the Broncos use a “contain defense” that focuses on keeping the quarterback in the pocket, even if it means giving up short passes. They do this by having the edge rushers drop back slightly to cut off escape routes, while the interior linemen push the pocket forward. This scheme worked perfectly in Week 10 against Allen, limiting him to just 23 rushing yards and forcing him into three interceptions. Against run-heavy teams like the Ravens, the Broncos shift to a “8-man box” look, adding an extra linebacker to stop the run, then use blitzes from the secondary to surprise the quarterback. “We don’t have a ‘one-size-fits-all’ defense,” Joseph said. “We study each opponent’s tendencies and build a game plan that neutralizes their biggest threats.” The Broncos also adjust their schemes based on game flow: if they’re leading late, they use a “prevent defense” that focuses on stopping deep passes and forcing teams to drive the field slowly, reducing the chance of a quick touchdown. For the Denver Broncos, these situational tweaks have made them adaptable to any opponent, a key factor in their six-game win streak. Defensive Schemes Evolve for the Denver Broncos underscores that the Denver Broncos’ ability to tailor their schemes to specific situations has been critical to their defensive success.

Finally, the Denver Broncos’ defensive evolution has been fueled by player feedback, with Joseph and his staff working closely with key defenders to refine schemes based on on-field experience. Bonitto, for example, suggested adding more “wide-nine” alignments—where he lines up far outside the offensive tackle—to take advantage of his speed, a tweak that has resulted in 4 of his 9 sacks. Surtain provided input on the Cover 3 Cloud scheme, suggesting adjustments to the zone boundaries to better allow him to jump routes. Even veteran linebacker Alex Singleton weighed in, proposing a “gap exchange” stunt for the linebackers to confuse offensive linemen. “Our players are the ones on the field—they know what works and what doesn’t,” Joseph said. “We listen to them, and it makes our schemes better.” This collaborative approach has not only improved the defense’s effectiveness but also boosted team morale, as players feel invested in the game plan. The results speak for themselves: the Broncos now rank 4th in the NFL in total defense (312.8 yards per game) and 2nd in sacks (34), and they’ve held four opponents to 17 points or less since their scheme evolution began. Defensive Schemes Evolve for the Denver Broncos concludes that the Denver Broncos’ defensive evolution is a testament to the team’s willingness to adapt, collaborate, and prioritize results over tradition. By evolving their schemes to fit their personnel and opponents, they’ve built a defense that can compete with the NFL’s best—and one that will be a force to reckon with in the playoffs.