Denver Broncos 2026 Offseason Outlook

After going 14-3 , winning the AFC West and falling one game short of reaching the Super Bowl last season, the Denver Broncos have already enjoyed their fair share of offseason success. Head coach Sean Payton easily could have expected his staff to suffer some “brain drain.” Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who presided over one of the best units in the NFL, and highly regarded quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, who is credited with much of the development of quarterback Bo Nix, both interviewed for head coaching jobs around the league. Both ended up staying in Denver.

The Broncos did lose offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, who took that same job with the Buffalo Bills, but that allowed Payton to promote Webb to OC, and the rising star in the coaching ranks will call plays in 2026.

The Broncos might have gone to Super Bowl LX if not for an ankle injury that sidelined Nix for the AFC title game. With Nix due back, Denver is in position to defend its AFC West crown. But while they may enter the 2026 season as major contenders, there is room for improvement.

2025 recap

After a 1-2 start to the season, Denver reeled off 11 straight wins to put itself in position to be the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Nix completed 63.4% of his passes for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions. He added 356 yards rushing and five rushing TDs, and more importantly showed himself to be effective in the clutch. Rookie running back RJ Harvey established himself as an all-purpose threat, compiling 896 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns. Receiver Courtland Sutton had 74 receptions for 1,017 yards and seven TDs, though the receiving room thins out after Sutton.

With Nix settling in as the franchise QB in just two seasons, the Broncos’ outstanding defense might get overlooked. But that’s where this team shines. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto led the team with 14 sacks, and Denver led the NFL with 68 sacks. While the front seven kept pressure on opposing QBs, cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, continued to anchor the secondary. Denver ranked third in scoring defense and second in total defense.

Still, while the Broncos’ impressive 2025 season included wins over playoff teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers, the Broncos also eked out very close victories against teams they shouldn’t have struggled against: Denver had wins over the New York Jets, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders by a combined margin of victory of seven points.

Key free agents

DL John Franklin-Myers
LB Alex Singleton
S P.J. Locke
RB JK Dobbins
CB Ja’Quan McMillian
RB Jaleel McLaughlin

Broncos salary cap space

$28,885,734

2026 draft needs

If the Broncos lose underrated defensive end John Franklin-Myers in free agency, that would be an important position to address in the draft. Other than that, Denver needs to add offensive weapons to complement Nix. Adding a receiver and a tight end would be helpful. And even though Harvey had a good rookie season, Denver might look at running back again if JK Dobbins leaves via free agency.

2026 opponents

Home:Kansas City, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Buffalo, Jacksonville, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle

Away:Kansas City, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Arizona, Carolina, New England, N.Y. Jets, Pittsburgh, San Francisco