Broncos Enter Offseason with Clear Mission: Get Aggressive, Get Better
The Denver Broncos’ 2025 campaign ended just one game short of the Super Bowl, falling to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. And while that loss stings, there’s no denying the team took a major step forward this season. After a decade-long drought, they claimed the AFC West crown and locked down the No. 1 seed - a massive accomplishment in its own right.
But now comes the next challenge: turning a great season into a championship season.
Denver’s front office, led by GM George Paton and head coach Sean Payton, is shifting into offseason mode with a clear directive - build on what they’ve started, and do it aggressively. They’ve got cap flexibility, draft capital, and a roster that’s knocking on the door. The window is open - but not forever.
The Rookie Deal Clock Is Ticking
The Broncos are in a sweet spot financially, thanks in large part to quarterback Bo Nix still being on his rookie contract. That’s a huge asset in today’s NFL. It gives Denver a two- to three-year window to go all-in before Nix’s next deal starts eating up a bigger slice of the salary cap pie.
The roster is already strong. The Broncos showed resilience all season, winning close games and pulling off multiple fourth-quarter comebacks.
But replicating a 14-win season? That’s a tall order.
If Denver wants to stay in the contender conversation - and take the next step - they’ll need to be bold.
Blockbuster trades, splashy free-agent signings - nothing should be off the table. Expect Paton and Payton to have some serious conversations in the coming weeks about where this roster needs reinforcements.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about adding the right ones to push this team over the top.
Offensive Playmakers Needed
Let’s start with the offense - because that’s where the Broncos need to make noise.
There’s talent in the building, no doubt. Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin both had their moments this season, showing flashes of being top targets.
But the production didn’t always match the potential. Combined, they caught just under 60% of their targets - a number that’s well below where your WR1 and WR2 need to be.
That inefficiency left a lot of yards - and points - on the field.
Tight end Evan Engram didn’t provide the kind of mismatch threat Denver hoped for either. In Sean Payton’s offense, the “joker” tight end role is supposed to be a difference-maker. That didn’t happen in 2025.
Then there’s the running back room - a group that simply didn’t bring enough juice. RJ Harvey showed promise, but he needs a complement.
The good news? This year’s free agent class at running back is deep.
Names like Breece Hall, Tyler Allgeier, and Kenneth Walker could all hit the market. If Denver wants immediate impact, that’s the place to look.
But don’t rule out the draft either - especially if they’re eyeing a physical, between-the-tackles back to pair with Harvey.
At wide receiver, the free agent options are thin. If Denver wants a true game-changer, the trade market might be their best bet.
Don’t be surprised if the Broncos start exploring that route during the pre-draft circuit - the Senior Bowl, the Combine - where deals often begin to take shape. They showed interest in adding a receiver at the trade deadline last season.
That conversation could pick right back up.
Keep Building in the Trenches
One of the quiet strengths of this Broncos team? The lines - both offensive and defensive.
Up front on offense, veteran tackles Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey gave Bo Nix the protection he needed to thrive. But both players are on the back half of their careers. It’s time to start thinking about the future at tackle - and this could be the year Denver finally uses a premium pick to find one.
Inside, there’s a decision to make on Ben Powers. He missed a chunk of the season with injury, and Alex Palczewski filled in admirably. With nearly $10 million in potential cap savings on the line, the Broncos may opt to move on from Powers and reinvest that money elsewhere.
Defensively, the line could see some turnover as well. John Franklin-Myers played a key rotational role in 2025, logging nearly half of the team’s defensive snaps.
But he’s likely headed to free agency. Sai’vion Jones was drafted last year to eventually fill that role, but he barely saw the field as a rookie.
Can Denver count on him to take a big leap in Year 2? That’s a gamble.
Also worth noting: Eyioma Uwazurike is entering the final year of his rookie deal. This is a group that needs fresh bodies - and potentially a new anchor or two for the future.
Revamping the Inside Linebacker Corps
Defensively, Denver had a solid year overall. But if there’s one group that underwhelmed, it was the inside linebackers.
Dre Greenlaw suited up for just nine games and didn’t make much of an impact. Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are both set to hit free agency.
And Drew Sanders? He was essentially a non-factor all season.
That’s a lot of uncertainty at a critical spot - especially in today’s NFL, where linebackers are asked to cover tight ends, chase down running backs, and clean up in the middle of the field. Denver needs more speed, more versatility, and more consistency at the second level.
The good news? Both the draft and free agency offer plenty of options.
This year’s draft class includes multiple linebackers with first-round grades - guys who could step in and contribute right away. And the free agent pool is deep with proven veterans who could stabilize the unit.
The Bottom Line
The Broncos are closer than they’ve been in years. They’ve got the quarterback.
They’ve got the coach. They’ve got a roster that can win now.
But “close” doesn’t hang banners.
This offseason is about taking that next step - and doing it with purpose. Denver has the resources, the flexibility, and the urgency. The window is open, but it won’t stay that way forever.
Now’s the time to swing big.