Sean Payton told reporters after Sunday’s loss to the Bills that the Broncos need to have a strong offseason.
Despite their disappointing blowout loss to the Bills this past Sunday, they had a successful season where they greatly exceeded expectations. They were viewed as one of the worst teams in the league heading into the season, experts and analysts criticized the Bo Nix selection, and the Broncos were expected to be a bottom-feeder this season.
After an 0-2 start and a slow start by rookie quarterback Bo Nix, these mouth breathers were patting themselves on the back. After that point, the Broncos would go 10-5 the rest of the way, and Bo Nix would have one of the better seasons a rookie quarterback ever had.
The Broncos would clinch their first postseason berth since they won Super Bowl 50 and ended the season with five All-Pro players. Things did not go their way in the wildcard round, but the future is bright for the Broncos.
Payton on feeling good about future: “We get out of our cap problem … we’ve got to have a good offseason.”
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) January 12, 2025
Now, with the Broncos shedding most of their dead cap woes, finding their answer at quarterback, and a better roster than many expected, the expectations will be higher going forward. Head coach Sean Payton knows this and told reporters after their wildcard loss to the Bills that the Broncos “need to have a strong offseason”.
“Yes, there’s a time for that. We get out of that cap problem—now that cap we have available—everyone has available. It’s not like our dollar is stronger than everyone else’s. We have to have a good offseason.”
The expectations heading into the offseason will be high for the Broncos. Last season was great, but now they have cap space, a first AND second-round pick for the first time since they traded for Russell Wilson, and needs up and down the roster.
The Broncos are currently projected to have $48,035,255 in salary cap space this spring, according to Over The Cap which ranks as the 11th most in the NFL. Obviously, they can always add more with cuts and restructures, but they will have room to make some much-needed additions to the roster. I have already touched on their top needs this offseason, but the Broncos need to address these areas of need.
You have to build around Bo Nix this offseason. The Broncos’ skill position players rank among the worst in the NFL this season. They have no run game, no receiving threat at tight end, need help at receiver, and just simply need more playmakers. That has to be the priority this offseason.
The defense can’t be ignored either. Despite having a top-ranked unit, they were exposed in the final month and struggled to stop some of the top quarterbacks in the league. They have needs at linebacker and safety and just simply need more depth at all positions.
Payton is right, the Broncos need a strong offseason. This season was great but now the expectations are higher and the team needs to make some major additions this offseason if they want to go from a feel-good story to legit contenders in the AFC.