In the Broncos’ defensive frontline resurgence last fall, everybody got credit.
From the outside, D.J. Jones, the veteran in the middle, got perhaps less than anybody else. Those directly involved, however, were never shy to say that Jones’ role and level of play proved critical for a group that went from one of the NFL’s worst to among its very best.
The club responded in kind on the eve of free agency, retaining Jones by agreeing to contract terms with him to return, multiple sources confirmed to The Denver Post. Terms of the deal were not immediately available, though ESPN reported the deal was worth approximately $13 million per year.
Jones acknowledged the agreement with a celebratory post on social media.
The 30-year-old South Carolina native had just finished a three-year, $30 million deal he originally signed going into the 2022 season and played some of his best football of that contract this fall. Jones manned the interior for Vance Joseph’s group, teaming with Malcolm Roach to solidify the Broncos’ run defense.
Jones finished second in the NFL in ESPN’s run stop win rate among defensive tackles. As a unit, the Broncos’ defense finished second in pass rush win rate and eighth in run stop win rate.
Retaining Jones means the Broncos are in position to run back their entire defensive line rotation in 2025. He is joined by Roach, Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers as well as reserves Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike.
Jones told The Post after the season that he was hoping to be back in Denver, in large part because of the work that group had done together.
“We were just talking about that in the D-line room, man,” he said in mid-January. “Just go individual by individual, it’s a special group. Special team. Hate that it ended this way, but all good things come to an end. …
“I feel like we’ve built some culture here. We’ve brought some culture back. I’d love to come back.”
Jones credited the organization, particularly the strength and conditioning staff, for feeling like he’s just “hitting my prime and hitting my stride” despite wrapping up his eighth season in the NFL.
“The way upstairs and our trainers have come together to build longevity here is amazing,” he added. “I’ve been here and San Fran, but to be able to see how many guys are walking out on their own abilities when the season is over is amazing. That’s not normal. In this league? That’s not normal. At all.”
Now Jones will get the chance to extend his career toward a decade in the same place he’s spent the past three seasons.
Jones is the third impending free agent that Denver retained Sunday, joining backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni.
This story will be updated.
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