The Denver Broncos are staring down a pivotal offseason, and while there’s no shortage of roster questions to answer, the biggest challenge isn’t about one player or even one position. It’s about the entire offensive skill group - and how to elevate it to championship caliber.
After a bitter 10-7 loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship, where offensive production was nearly nonexistent, it’s clear: Denver needs more firepower. The question is, where do they start?
The Run Game That Wasn’t
Let’s begin with the ground game - or lack thereof. By the end of the season, the Broncos’ rushing attack had completely dried up.
That deficiency came back to haunt them in the AFC title game, which turned into a classic cold-weather slugfest. In those conditions, you need a back who can lower his shoulder and move the chains between the tackles.
Denver didn’t have that guy. The inability to establish the run not only made the offense one-dimensional, it put Bo Nix and the passing game in an impossible spot.
That’s a tough way to go out, especially when a physical runner might have been the difference between a Super Bowl berth and an early offseason.
Tight End Troubles
Then there’s the tight end position. Evan Engram simply didn’t deliver the impact Denver needed, particularly down the stretch.
The Broncos now face a tough decision: cut ties with Engram and look for a veteran upgrade, or try to address the position in the draft. But here’s the rub - rookie tight ends rarely hit the ground running.
Even finding someone who can match Engram’s production, modest as it was, will be a challenge. And if Denver is serious about contending in 2026, can they really afford to wait on a rookie to develop?
Wide Receiver Room: Talent With Caveats
The wide receiver group is in better shape, but it’s not without its own set of questions. Courtland Sutton continues to be a reliable chain-mover and a red zone weapon.
He’s the kind of big-bodied target every quarterback loves. But he needs a running mate.
Troy Franklin showed flashes, and there’s hope he can take another step forward. Pat Bryant, after a rookie season full of learning moments, could also emerge.
But both are on the lighter side physically, as is Marvin Mims Jr., who’s arguably more valuable as a return specialist at this point. The Broncos have speed, but they’re missing that alpha presence outside of Sutton - someone who can win on the perimeter and demand attention from defenses.
The Payton Dilemma
That brings us to the elephant in the room: Sean Payton. The head coach has been vocal in his support of his young receivers, and he’s not wrong to like their upside.
But that praise could make it awkward if the team decides to bring in a big-name free agent or invest another high draft pick at the position. Layer in the tension that reportedly surfaced after the AFC Championship loss - particularly around Bo Nix and the coaching staff - and Payton is walking a tightrope.
He has to upgrade the offense without alienating the very players he’s been trying to build up.
Quarterback Questions
Speaking of Nix, his injury in the divisional round - a broken ankle against Buffalo - complicates things even further. Before the injury, he was largely seen as the guy.
Now? That’s less certain.
His chemistry with Payton seems shaky, and there’s no clear answer on whether the coach is ready to hand the keys to Jarrett Stidham to start the 2026 season. If Nix isn’t ready to go by Week 1, or if the relationship between quarterback and coach doesn’t improve, Denver could be looking at a serious identity crisis under center.
A Crucial Offseason Ahead
This isn’t just about patching holes. It’s about defining who this team wants to be on offense - and doing it in a way that keeps the locker room intact and the Super Bowl window open.
The Broncos have a defense that can win in January. They have a head coach with a Super Bowl ring.
But unless they get the skill positions right - from the backfield to the boundary to the guy under center - they’ll be watching the big game from home again.
The margin for error is razor-thin. And the decisions made this offseason will shape the Broncos’ trajectory for years to come.