The Broncos head into 2026 with the AFC West crown in hand, and NFL Media’s latest roundtable says they’ve got the best shot to keep it.
Denver won the division last season for the 16th time in franchise history and the first time since 2015, finishing 14-3 and knocking the Chiefs off their nine-year run as division champs. The Chargers hung around the race for most of 2025 before fading late, while Kansas City was already out of the divisional picture long before Patrick Mahomes went down with a multi-ligament knee injury in Week 15. The Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
That context matters, but the biggest reason NFL Media is sticking with Denver is simple: stability. Dan Parr wrote, "If not for Bo Nix’s injury, the Broncos might have made the Super Bowl last season. With the acquisition of WR Jaylen Waddle and relatively few significant free-agent losses this offseason, Denver has established itself as the most reliable team in a tough division," Parr wrote.
The Broncos doubled down on the roster that won 14 games, and they didn’t spend the offseason tearing things up. They brought back key pieces like linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, running back J.K.
Dobbins, tight end Adam Trautman, and depth offensive lineman Alex Palczewski, among others. Outside additions were minimal beyond safety Tycen Anderson, who barely held on to a roster spot after camp.
Denver also drafted seven players without making a first- or second-round selection, though three were waived in final cuts. Two of those players landed back on the practice squad, while fifth-round tight end Justin Joly was claimed off waivers.
The spotlight, though, still lands on Nix. He’s been the Broncos’ steady hand since arriving as a first-round pick in 2024, starting every regular-season game and two playoff games.
Once he was lost, Denver’s season changed fast. Now he’s back healthy, and the Broncos are built around the idea that he can carry the load again.
There are new wrinkles around him, too. The Waddle trade is the headliner, and his lone preseason appearance gave a glimpse of what he can do, turning a third-and-long throw from Nix into a 35-yard gain. But the more consequential change may be on the sideline: Davis Webb is now the offensive coordinator, and Sean Payton has handed over the primary play-calling duties.
Early camp and preseason signs pointed toward a Broncos offense that could be more explosive and more committed to the run, with play-action baked into the plan. That fits the personnel Denver has assembled over the past two offseasons, especially at running back. RJ Harvey arrived in the second round last year, Jonah Coleman came in the fourth round this spring, and Dobbins is back healthy to give the Broncos a deeper, more flexible backfield.
The schedule, though, won’t hand Denver anything. The Broncos face the AFC East and NFC West, two divisions that combined for five playoff teams last season.
The good news is that Kansas City and Los Angeles have the same draw, which keeps the division race on level ground. Denver’s first eight games are rough, but the second half looks friendlier, and two of the Broncos’ three toughest late-season games will be at home.
The Chiefs still have Mahomes and Andy Reid, but Parr wasn’t sold on their offseason defensive upgrades, pointing to a young and inexperienced secondary. Denver, meanwhile, returns all but one defensive starter and its entire offensive line, and the defense is aiming to lead the NFL in sacks for a third straight year.
That’s why NFL Media joined the list of believers. The Broncos have the continuity, the roster, and the confidence to repeat.
In Other News...
Broncos May Catch Chiefs At The Perfect Time In Week 1
The Broncos open the season with a chance to test a Chiefs team that has spent much of camp managing health as much as game planning. Kansas City has had several key players on the injury report through training camp and the preseason, including defensive tackle Chris Jones, who missed practice while recovering from a back issue, and coach Andy Reid has said he is hopeful some of those players will be ready by Week 1.
Still, the list of concerns has been long enough to make Denver pay attention. Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Mansoor Delane, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Kenneth Walker III have all dealt with injuries at different points, leaving the Chiefs with more uncertainty than usual heading into the opener. For a Broncos team trying to make an early statement in the division, that kind of opening can matter, even if Kansas City still has time to get right before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Settle Backup QB Battle With A Notable Roster Decision
Sean Payton has settled the Broncos backup quarterback picture, and it gives Denver a clearer sense of how the offense will be structured heading into the regular season. Jarrett Stidham will open as the No. 2 behind Bo Nix, with Sam Ehlinger holding the third spot, a notable roster choice after a summer of competition and preseason work.
For a team trying to stabilize its quarterback room behind a rookie starter, keeping three passers on the active roster is not a small decision. It leaves Denver with experience, insurance and some flexibility if the early part of the season brings more questions than answers, even if the pecking order is now set for the moment. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Backfield Battle Suddenly Feels Bigger Than Fans Expected
The Broncos went into the offseason wanting more stability behind their running game, and the addition of Jonah Coleman has quickly made that conversation more interesting. Drafted in the fourth round, Coleman is already expected to matter this season, not just as a developmental piece but as someone who can help shape the offense if Denver needs him to.
J.K. Dobbins is still projected to open the year as the starter after re-signing with the team, but his injury history keeps the backfield picture from feeling settled. Denver reportedly likes Colemans pass protection and efficiency enough to view him as a real contender for the primary backup job, with the possibility that he could move ahead of RJ Harvey on the depth chart if the Broncos need a reliable option in a larger role. [Read more 🡒]