Years before Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers became Broncos teammates, they connected on social media: “Basically, like, game recognize game”

Zach Allen saw a pathway to success for himself even from 2,500 miles away.

In early October 2021, Allen was in the midst of his third season with the Arizona Cardinals. He had two career sacks to his name after injuries plagued each of his first two seasons. And only recently had he come under the tutelage of future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt in the desert.

He had confidence, to be sure, but not so much to reinforce it.

“I was really inconsistent, but I was like, ‘OK, I think I can do this,’” Allen told The Denver Post recently.

Across the country, New York Jets defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers was a year older and a year more established. When he inked an in-season, four-year extension worth $55 million that came with $30 million guaranteed, Allen took notice.

“I remember watching his tape and thinking that I liked the way this guy plays,” Allen said. “Then you see him get paid. So I just shot him a DM on Instagram and said, ‘Hey congratulations on everything.’ That gave me a lot of hope, like, OK, a guy that plays a similar style is getting recognized and respected in this league. That gave me a lot of confidence.”

The two struck up a friendship and consistent dialogue.

“Basically, like, game recognize game,” Allen said.

Not only did they play similar styles, they came to realize, but they shared a similar pass-rushing ethos.

They thought, as many players do, it would be cool if someday they got the chance to play together.

Unlike most who muse about the possibility, the pair now actually gets that chance in Denver.

Allen cashed in himself in the spring of 2023 with a three-year, $45.75 million contract from the Broncos. The extension Franklin-Myers signed eventually made him a cap casualty in New York despite consistent production and Denver pounced to add him via trade for almost nothing during April’s NFL draft.

They won’t put on the pads together until August. The most extensive work they may get together against another team might come in one joint practice against Green Bay in mid-August. But Allen thinks Franklin-Myers’ addition to Denver’s front line will not just be an upgrade over last year because he’s racked up 200-plus pressures over the past four seasons, but because it will unlock Allen’s game, too.

“Every day we’re talking for like an hour just on our own,” Allen said. “When we get this, we should do this. What we see. Things we like, things we don’t like. It’s been a really, really good process.”

A year ago, the Broncos played more two-down as the year went along. Jonathan Harris started the season playing upward of 60% of defensive snaps but saw that time wane as the season progressed. Nobody turned into a difference-maker outside of Allen and defensive tackle D.J. Jones.