Broncos Set Sights on 2026: Culture, Grit, and a Smart Offseason Approach
The Denver Broncos are officially in offseason mode, and if you thought the momentum from a 14-win campaign and an AFC West title would lead to complacency, think again. The message from the top of the organization is clear: the bar has been raised, but the job isn’t done. Not even close.
Owner and CEO Greg Penner stepped to the podium this week and wasted no time setting the tone for what’s to come. Despite a resurgent 2025 season that saw Denver claim the No. 1 seed in the AFC and make a deep playoff run, the ultimate goal remains unmet. There’s no Lombardi Trophy in the case-yet.
“We are not satisfied,” Penner said, delivering a blunt but motivating assessment of where the franchise stands. “We know that we have a lot of work to do.” And with that, the Broncos’ brass has made it clear: 2025 was a breakthrough, not a finish line.
Building a Culture That Lasts
What’s helped fuel this turnaround? According to Penner, it starts with the culture Head Coach Sean Payton has built-one rooted in toughness, resilience, and grit.
It’s not just about talent; it’s about having the right guys in the locker room. That’s been a consistent theme from the top down.
“It really starts with the culture of toughness, resiliency and grit that Sean has instilled into this group and having the right players here,” Penner said. “Obviously, there is the skill set that players bring, but are they the right players in the locker room?”
That locker room buy-in isn’t just lip service. After a decade without a division title, the Broncos surged in 2025, not just on the back of scheme or individual brilliance, but because of a team-wide mentality shift.
Players want to be in Denver. They want to be part of something bigger.
That matters.
Aggressive-But Smart-Roster Moves Ahead
With the offseason now in full swing, the front office-led by Payton and General Manager George Paton-is already laying the groundwork for what comes next. And yes, that includes being aggressive when it comes to roster upgrades.
But don’t mistake aggression for recklessness. Penner made it clear that the Broncos will be opportunistically aggressive. That means they’re ready to make moves, but only the right ones.
“I get a little worried about just the pure phrase of ‘aggressive,’ because you can be aggressive, but you want to do it in a smart way,” Penner explained. “We’ll be willing to spend if we see a player that we think is going to add a lot of value here. But we’re also not just going to bring in somebody that’s not right for this locker room.”
That’s a key distinction. This isn’t about chasing headlines in free agency or throwing money at big names for the sake of it.
It’s about fit-on the field and in the building. The Broncos aren’t just trying to build a roster; they’re building a team.
Scouting the Future in Mobile
While the front office works through potential offseason moves, the Broncos’ scouting department is already hard at work evaluating talent for the 2026 NFL Draft. Denver has boots on the ground in Mobile, Alabama, taking in the action at the Senior Bowl and getting a closer look at some of the top prospects in this year’s class.
This is where the foundation for sustained success is laid-not just through splashy signings or blockbuster trades, but through smart, detailed evaluation and development. It’s a full-organization effort, and the Broncos are showing they’re all-in on every front.
Resetting the Standard
The 2025 season brought a lot to celebrate in Denver: a division crown, a return to playoff relevance, and a team identity that finally feels grounded in something real. But as Penner, Payton, and Paton have all emphasized, the mission isn’t complete.
Every team starts fresh in 2026. Records reset. Expectations don’t.
The Broncos are aiming higher-and they’re doing it with a plan. A culture-first mindset, a smart approach to roster building, and an unrelenting drive to bring a championship back to the Mile High City.
The rest of the league should take notice: Denver isn’t just back. They’re building something to last.