Fansided

5 burning questions the Broncos must answer in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15, 2018: Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates a sack in the third quarter as the Denver Broncos played the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. The sack made Miller the all-time sack leader for the Broncos. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15, 2018: Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates a sack in the third quarter as the Denver Broncos played the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. The sack made Miller the all-time sack leader for the Broncos. (Photo by Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 15: Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos in action during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Browns defeated the Broncos 17-16. (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 15: Bradley Chubb #55 of the Denver Broncos in action during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Browns defeated the Broncos 17-16. (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images) /

2. Can Denver’s defense return to stellar form?

Slowly but surely, that fabled Denver Broncos’ championship defense from 2015 and its “No Fly Zone” has become has begun to be taken apart. Yes, coordinator Wade Phillips has been gone for several seasons. In 2017, the club cut ties with safety T.J. Ward. Last offseason, the Broncos dealt veteran cornerback Aqib Talib to the Los Angeles Rams. He had his team while the playing and Super Bowl LII. The most recent change saw safety Darian Stewart released by the club.

But the likes of cornerback Chris Harris Jr. remain and this offseason, the team signed free-agent defensive backs Kareem Jackson and Bryce Callahan. The latter played for new head coach Vic Fangio and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell in Chicago. And as long as you have the likes of outside linebacker Von Miller on your roster, rushing the passer doesn’t really figure to be a problem.

This unit got quite the boost this past year when GM John Elway used the fifth overall selection on Bradley Chubb. The former North Carolina state standout totaled 12 sacks and he and Miller (14.5) combined for more than half (of Denver’s 44 quarterback traps. Still, this was a Broncos’ defense that finished 22nd in the league in total yards allowed per game, 21th vs. the run and 20th vs. the pass. Fangio arrives one year after the Bears allowed the fewest rushing yards in the league and the fewest points while forcing an NFL-best 36 turnovers. Could we see a rebirth of sorts in a new-look unit?

Next: No. 1

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