The Denver Broncos are walking into the new season with real buzz, and now they’ve picked up another piece of validation that will have their fan base feeling even better about where this team is headed.
PFF’s 2026 NFL offensive line rankings put Denver at No. 1, and the reason is pretty simple: this group is back together. Gordon McGuinness pointed to the fact that the Broncos are returning the same starting five offensive linemen that finished 2026 as PFF’s top-ranked unit, and he made it clear there was no case for moving them off the top spot.
“The Broncos return the same starting five offensive linemen that ended 2026 as PFF's top-ranked offensive line, and there is no reason for change at the top,” he states. “Left tackle Garett Bolles led all offensive tackles with a 91.0 PFF pass-blocking grade last year and didn't allow a single sack from 802 pass-blocking snaps in the regular season.”
McGuinness also singled out the work on the right side of the line, where Quinn Meinerz stood out in a big way.
“On the other side of the line, right guard Quinn Meinerz was the highest-graded guard in football, with his 91.0 PFF run-blocking grade trailing only Chris Lindstrom of the Atlanta Falcons.”
For a team that already has Bo Nix at quarterback and Sean Payton on the sideline, this kind of recognition only adds to the sense that Denver has the pieces to do something special if everything stays intact. The Broncos have been underrated plenty, but this ranking puts a loud spotlight on one of their biggest strengths.
Kansas City Chiefs.
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Broncos Fans Have One Big Reason To Watch Mahomes Closely
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For Broncos fans, the key detail is simple: there has been no official sign of a setback, and Mahomes is still expected to start in Week 1 against Denver. Even so, his recovery will be watched closely all the way up to kickoff, because any concern about his mobility changes the tone of a divisional opener that already carries plenty of weight. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Super Bowl Hopes Rest On A Core Under Real Pressure
The Broncos are heading into their 2026 season with the kind of expectations that come with believing the window is open, and a big part of that belief rests on a core they are counting on to carry them there. Bo Nix is being treated as the franchise quarterback, while the trade for Jaylen Waddle gives Denver a more dynamic passing element than it has had in recent seasons. Around them, the Broncos are leaning on a group that has to hold up on both sides of the ball, from J.K. Dobbins and Harvey in the backfield to Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz up front.
There is pressure in that kind of plan, because so much of Denvers Super Bowl talk depends on established pieces doing what the team expects rather than merely what it hopes. Zach Allen, Nik Bonitto and Alex Singleton are central to the defenses stability, and the Broncos need that unit to stay disruptive while the offense finds its rhythm. It is the sort of roster built with a clear purpose, but also one that leaves little margin if any of the key parts wobble. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Still Weighing A Linebacker Concern Before Chiefs Opener
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Inside, the Broncos are comfortable with their starting linebackers, but the search for more options has not stopped there. Depth at the position and contributions in the kicking game remain part of the conversation as Denver puts the finishing touches on its roster before a divisional test that will demand clean depth across the board. [Read more 🡒]