Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton isn’t interested in modest expectations heading into the 2025 NFL season. While the franchise continues to rebuild under head coach Sean Payton, Singleton made waves this week by declaring that his personal and team defensive goal is nothing short of historic: surpass the dominance of Denver’s iconic Super Bowl 50 defense.
“We want to be better than them — that’s what we need to chase,” Singleton told reporters during the team’s offseason minicamp. “That group set the gold standard, and if we want to bring Denver back to the top, that’s the level we have to get to.”
The Super Bowl 50 defense, led by Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., and others, is widely considered one of the greatest defensive units of the modern NFL era. That 2015 Broncos squad ranked No. 1 in total defense and carried an aging Peyton Manning to a championship largely on the strength of its relentless pass rush and elite secondary play.
Singleton, now one of the veteran leaders of Denver’s current defense, understands the weight of that comparison. Still, he believes the 2025 Broncos defense has untapped potential. With standout edge rusher Baron Browning, safety Justin Simmons, and young breakout candidate Jonah Elliss, Singleton says the unit has the talent — but needs consistency, cohesion, and swagger.
“We’ve got the pieces — now we’ve got to own it every single week,” Singleton said. “It’s about mindset, communication, and trust. That 2015 team didn’t just hit hard — they played for each other.”
Last season, Denver’s defense showed flashes but lacked the full-season dominance fans were used to a decade ago. They ranked 19th in total defense but surged late in the year, shutting down playoff-caliber teams and improving their turnover margin significantly. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph returns with a renewed focus on simplifying schemes and unleashing the team’s speed.
Singleton, who led the team in tackles for the second straight season, has become the emotional heart of Denver’s defense — and now, its vocal motivator. He isn’t just chasing history out of nostalgia. He believes that a return to elite defense is the only way the Broncos can compete in an AFC packed with powerhouse offenses.
“This city remembers what dominant defense looks like. We’re not just trying to bring that back — we’re trying to be better,” Singleton emphasized. “That’s the bar. That’s the mission.”
Whether or not the 2025 Broncos can live up to the towering legacy of their Super Bowl 50 predecessors remains to be seen — but with Singleton leading the charge, the fire to reclaim Denver’s defensive identity clearly burns bright
