NFL Notebook: 2025 Denver Broncos Preview

It’s the third year for Sean Payton in the Rocky Mountains. He took over a 5-12 team and got them to 8-9 in 2023. Then, last season, he found his quarterback in rookie Bo Nix, went 10-7 and got the Broncos into the playoffs for the first time since they won the Super Bowl with Peyton Manning in 2015. Now, it’s time to see if Denver can keep ascending in a ruthlessly competitive AFC West.

DEFENSE FIRST: A FEROCIOUS FRONT SEVEN

Payton’s background is offense, and the arrival of Nix is a good headline story, but the defense fueled Denver’s success last season. Coordinator Vance Joseph oversaw the third-stingiest unit in the NFL. The Broncos are tough in the front seven and they look even better this year.

Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper are the outside linebackers in the 3-4 scheme, and both are exactly the kind of disruptive forces you need at that position. They combined for 24 sacks last year and both grade out well at Pro Football Focus. Bonitto in particular, is someone who could easily jump into the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.

The pass-rushing prowess continues up front, something not always the case in the 3-4, where the defensive line often focuses on tying up blockers. Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers can both get to the quarterback. At nose tackle, D.J. Jones can fulfill the traditional role of this spot as an anchor.

Inside linebacker was a weak spot a year ago, and Denver moved in free agency for an upgrade by signing Dre Greenlaw. It’s going to be very tough to run on the Broncos this year and not very easy to get time to throw.

All of which creates opportunities for the secondary, and the Broncos have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in corner Pat Surtain. Last year, Surtain had to carry an otherwise spotty unit. While the secondary still has some holes, at least one hole was addressed by signing Brandon Jones at strong safety.

Denver won their last title in 2015 on the strength of their defense. The unit coming together right now can be every bit as good.

SURROUNDING NIX: PROTECTION AND WEAPONS

Nix mostly played a safe, conservative style last year, as you would expect from a developing rookie. That was made possible by a steady offensive line built around the excellence of right guard Quinn Meinerz. Left tackle Garrett Boiles is another elite offensive lineman. There are no real weaknesses on this line.

In spite of the line’s quality, no one really stepped up running the football. The Broncos addressed that in free agency by signing J.K. Dobbins away from the Chargers. If Dobbins is healthy—admittedly a significant “if”, Denver’s running game will be substantially better in 2025.

That brings us back to Nix. He has a good target in Cortland Sutton and Denver signed tight end Evan Engram. After an injury-riddled in ’24 in Jacksonville, the Broncos are hoping Engram can recapture his 114-catch form of 2023.

But ultimately the rise or fall of the passing game will depend on Nix’s continued growth. He has all the pieces around him to succeed.

OUTLOOK

Betting markets are staying cautious with Denver, setting their Over/Under at 9.5, meaning just replicating last year’s 10-7 record would be a success. While I think the Broncos are better this year, I understand the caution. The AFC West is no picnic and even getting back to the playoffs in this deep conference is no easy task.

If I look at Denver in isolation, I see an 11-6 or even 12-5 kind of team. But when we do the final predictions next Thursday, all the records have to be balanced out to .500 and I’m not sure how that will look. But either way, this is an organization on the right path.