The Denver Broncos came up just short in the AFC Championship Game, but don’t let that final score fool you - this team nearly knocked off the New England Patriots with Jarrett Stidham under center and several key players sidelined. That close call, with Bo Nix unavailable and a handful of top contributors missing, should light a fire under this roster heading into the 2026 season.
Now, with free agency just around the corner, the Broncos are in a prime position to reload. They’ve got the cap space, the momentum, and the motivation.
Whether it’s through targeted signings or a splashy trade, Denver has the tools to reshape its roster and make a serious run next season. And if the front office plays its cards right, the version of the Broncos we see in Week 1 could look even more dangerous than the one that nearly reached the Super Bowl.
Yet, despite all that, the Broncos are still flying a bit under the radar in some early post-Super Bowl power rankings. NFL.com’s Eric Edholm slotted them in at No. 4 - a solid spot, but arguably still underselling what this team accomplished and what it could become.
Edholm pointed out the obvious sting Denver must have felt watching New England get steamrolled in Super Bowl 60. With a healthy Bo Nix, there’s a real case to be made that the Broncos - not the Patriots - would’ve been the ones facing the Seahawks. And given how battle-tested Denver was down the stretch, it’s fair to wonder if that game would’ve looked very different.
Looking ahead, there’s a lot to like. Nix showed flashes of high-level play in his rookie season, but there’s room to grow - and that development will be key.
The offense needs more consistency from its skill players and fewer self-inflicted wounds, especially when it comes to penalties. But the foundation is there.
The defense, already one of the league’s top units, should remain elite. If the offense can take a step forward, Denver becomes a legitimate Super Bowl threat.
And let’s not forget: it wasn’t just Nix who was out in the AFC title game. The Broncos were also without J.K.
Dobbins, their starting running back; Troy Franklin, their No. 2 wide receiver; and safety Brandon Jones, one of the more quietly impactful players on the defense. That’s a significant chunk of talent missing in the biggest game of the year - and they still nearly pulled it off.
Meanwhile, New England - ranked one spot ahead of Denver at No. 3 - benefited from a soft schedule and looked completely overmatched in the Super Bowl. That makes it all the more puzzling that the Patriots are getting the nod in some rankings over a Broncos team that pushed them to the brink with a backup quarterback and a depleted roster.
As the offseason unfolds and rosters begin to take shape, don’t be surprised if Denver starts climbing those rankings. The case for them being the second-best team in the league right now is not just plausible - it’s compelling.
They’ve got the defense, the coaching, and a young quarterback with upside. If they stay healthy and make the right moves this offseason, the Broncos won’t just be in the mix next year - they’ll be one of the teams to beat.