The Denver Broncos are staring down a pivotal offseason, and after the way their 2025 campaign ended-with Bo Nix going down in the playoffs due to a freak injury-they know they can’t afford to stand pat. The roster is competitive, the defense is solid, and Nix showed real flashes as a rookie.
But if Denver wants to make a serious push toward the AFC Championship game again, they need to add some firepower on offense. And according to a recent prediction, they might be eyeing a big swing.
That swing? Trading for wide receiver George Pickens and locking him in with a massive extension.
The proposed deal would send a Day 2 draft pick-reportedly a second-rounder-to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for Pickens. On top of that, the Broncos would be committing to Pickens long-term with a contract averaging $31 million per year. That’s not just a splash-it’s a cannonball into the deep end of the talent pool.
And honestly, it makes a lot of sense.
Denver’s wide receiver corps has depth, but it’s missing that true alpha. Courtland Sutton has been steady, Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin bring intrigue, and Marvin Mims has shown flashes.
But none of them tilt the field the way Pickens can. He’s a dynamic, physical wideout with a knack for highlight-reel catches and the kind of swagger that could inject serious juice into this Broncos offense.
Adding Pickens would instantly elevate the group from solid to potentially dangerous. It would also give Bo Nix a true go-to target-a guy who can win one-on-one matchups, stretch the field, and make contested catches in traffic. For a young quarterback, that kind of security blanket is invaluable.
Now, you could argue that the Broncos have bigger needs at tight end or running back. And sure, those positions could use upgrades.
But when a player like Pickens becomes available-and when the price is a second-round pick in the 60s-it’s hard to pass up. Especially when you're trying to build around a rookie quarterback on a cost-controlled deal.
The math makes sense, and so does the football logic.
This kind of move would signal that Denver is all-in on maximizing Nix’s window while he’s still on his rookie contract. It’s the same blueprint we’ve seen successful teams follow in recent years-surround your young QB with talent, give him weapons, and let him grow.
If this prediction comes to pass, the Broncos would be adding a legitimate difference-maker to their offense. Pickens isn’t just another receiver-he’s the type of player who changes how defenses game-plan. And in a division that still features Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, you need that kind of firepower to keep pace.
Bottom line: If Denver can pull off this trade and extension, it wouldn’t just be a win-it could be the move that puts them back in the AFC title conversation.