February 7th, 2016. The Denver Broncos reached the pinnacle of professional football by winning the Super Bowl. After three seasons with Peyton Manning as their starting quarterback and general manager John Elway meticulously crafting a dominant defensive unit through free agency and the draft, the Mile High team finally achieved greatness.
Afterward, however, the Broncos would not have it easy.
The 2016 season was a strange one. Denver had to start their search for a new quarterback after Peyton Manning decided to retire. With the 26th overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Broncos selected Paxton Lynch to be Manning’s successor. To call him a bust would be an understatement. In training camp, before the season even started, it became that it was not viable for Lynch to be the starter for them during the season, as he was still a significantly raw player. As a result, the Broncos turned to Trevor Siemian, a 7th-round pick from the previous year’s draft, to lead the offense.
To add insult to injury, the defense also lost significant pieces when compared to the season before. Notably, defensive end Malik Jackson and linebacker Danny Trevathan left the team, leaving significant gaps that proved difficult to fill.
Despite significant losses on both the offensive and defensive units, the Broncos began the 2016 season on a strong note, winning their first four games. Trevor Siemian managed the offense effectively, while the defense initially appeared as dominant as the unit that had powered their Super Bowl victory the year before.
As the season wore on, however, cracks began to show. The team struggled to match the strength and consistency of their championship roster. Their playoff hopes came to an abrupt and humbling end on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium, where they suffered a crushing 33-10 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
For the first time in six years, the Broncos lost the division title to the Kansas City Chiefs. For the first time in six years, the Broncos missed the playoffs.
The demoralizing effect of winning a Super Bowl and then missing the playoffs the following season was palpable. In 2017, under new head coach Vance Joseph (who was hired despite Kyle Shanahan being available, make it make sense) and with an even weaker roster, the Broncos endured a disastrous campaign, finishing with a dismal 5-11 record.
The quarterback situation became a revolving door of disappointment. Trevor Siemian began the season as the starter but suffered an injury, forcing Brock Osweiler to step in. Osweiler performed poorly, losing three consecutive games, prompting the team to return to Siemian, who fared no better. Nothing seemed to go right for the team.
And what about Paxton Lynch, their first-round draft pick from 2016? By this point, it was painfully clear to the organization that Lynch would never develop into a competent NFL quarterback. Lacking even the skills to serve as a reliable backup, he was waived by the team before the start of the next season.
The quarterback carousel had officially begun. For the 2018 season, it was evident that the Broncos were in dire need of a savior in the position. However, the front office, still reeling from the disastrous Paxton Lynch experiment, seemed hesitant to invest in another high-profile draft pick. Instead, the seemingly genius idea GM John Elway had was to sign Case Keenum, who would hopefully finally end the franchise’s melancholic QB situation.
Keenum had a breakout 2017 season with the Minnesota Vikings. After stepping in for the injured Sam Bradford in Week 2, he exceeded expectations, guiding the team to the NFC Championship Game. Despite his strong performance throughout the season, the Vikings were no match for the dominant Philadelphia Eagles, who went on to win the Super Bowl.
As it turned out, Case Keenum was far from the solution the Broncos desperately needed. While he did record a career-high 3,890 passing yards, his performance was marred by inconsistency, reflected in his disappointing 18 touchdowns to 15 interceptions.
The Denver Broncos went 6-10. Case Keenum was traded away. The carousel continued.
Not only is the quarterback the most challenging position to play in all of sports, but it is also the most critical to a team’s success. NFL franchises without a reliable solution at quarterback are destined to struggle—and that was precisely the situation the Broncos found themselves in.
The tragedy of being an NFL team in search of a quarterback is that sometimes there is no one to be found. That was the harsh reality for Denver heading into the 2019 season. The draft class offered little promise, aside from Kyler Murray, who was destined to be the first overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals. With few viable options, the Broncos made a desperation move, trading a 4th-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco.
Flacco was a former Super Bowl MVP, but he was far from being the same player he was in the 2012 season, when he achieved that. Still, the front office believed it to be worth he gamble. Alongside acquiring Flacco, Denver also used a 2nd-round draft pick to select Drew Lock, a promising prospect out of Missouri, in hopes of securing a long-term solution at quarterback.
The Broncos also decided to move on from head coach Vance Joseph and brought in Vic Fangio, former defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, to take over the job.
After all these changes, one might expect the Broncos’ fortunes to improve, right? Well, not exactly. Denver stumbled out of the gate, starting the season 0-4, including a heartbreaking comeback loss to the Jaguars. It quickly became apparent that Joe Flacco was uncomfortable in the offensive system.
Flacco started only eight games that season, managing just six touchdown passes—half of which came in the game against Jacksonville. By Week 9, his season was over as he was placed on injured reserve. Flacco would never take another snap in a Broncos uniform.
The problem was that while Joe Flacco landed on injured reserve, rookie quarterback Drew Lock, the intended backup, was also sidelined with an injury. This left the Broncos with no choice but to turn to their third-string quarterback, Brandon Allen, to lead the offense for three games. Predictably, it was not a particularly fruitful experiment, as Denver went 1-2 during his stint as the starter.
With five games remaining in another disappointing season for the Mile High team, Drew Lock was finally given his chance to start. Despite the bleak circumstances, the rookie delivered a solid performance, winning four of those five games and posting respectable numbers for a first-year quarterback.
The Broncos missed the playoffs for the fourth straight because of the terrible start they had to the season, which led to a 7-9 record. However, Broncos Country finally had something to look forward to for the following year, as they seemed to have finally found an answer for the quarterback job.
When the 2020 season finally arrived, the optimism surrounding Drew Lock quickly evaporated. Rather than building on his promising rookie performance, Lock appeared to regress, struggling to replicate the flashes of potential he had shown in his first five starts.
It was a strange year for the NFL, with crowdless games and numerous disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the unusual circumstances, the Broncos failed to find any rhythm, stumbling to a disappointing 5-11 record and extending their playoff drought.
By the 2021 season, the Broncos’ front office had lost faith in Drew Lock and opted for a change, trading for veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who had previously played for the Vikings and Panthers.
The team started strong, winning their first three games, but their momentum quickly fizzled. Despite flashes of promise, Denver failed to mount a late-season push for the playoffs, finishing with a 7-10 record. Once again, the Broncos found themselves in familiar territory: another quarterback meant to be the solution had proven not to be the answer.
At this point, frustration had reached a boiling point. Nothing the Broncos tried seemed to work. Drafting rookies had yielded disappointing results, and bringing in veteran quarterbacks from the market had been equally underwhelming.
Determined to end the cycle of failure, general manager George Paton made a bold decision: to go all-in and invest heavily in acquiring a top-tier, well-established quarterback, signaling a win-now approach for the franchise.
The hottest rumor swirling around the league was that the Broncos were making a serious push to acquire reigning league MVP and former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Speculation intensified in January of 2022, when Denver hired Nathaniel Hackett, the Packers’ former offensive coordinator, as their new head coach.
Hackett was known to have a close relationship with Rodgers, making his hiring seem like a strategic move to lure the superstar quarterback to the Mile High City. For Broncos fans, this was the clearest signal yet that the franchise was pulling out all the stops to finally solve its long-standing quarterback dilemma.
However, all those plans came crashing down when Rodgers signed a contract extension with the Packers in March.
Naturally, the Broncos found themselves searching for a quarterback yet again. Although the best name on the market was no longer an option, the front office remained committed to its all-in mentality, determined to make a bold move to address the team’s most pressing need.
And so they did. Less than a week after Aaron Rodgers signed his contract extension with Green Bay, the Denver Broncos made a blockbuster move. They traded quarterback Drew Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a 2022 fifth-round selection to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for quarterback Russell Wilson.
Wilson was a seasoned ten-year NFL veteran with an impressive résumé. He had led the Seattle Seahawks to victory in Super Bowl 48, a crushing 43-8 win over the Broncos. Known for his remarkable arm strength and mobility, Wilson had consistently been one of the league’s top quarterbacks. However, as his career progressed, his running ability had noticeably declined.
Despite this, Wilson remained an elite player, having been in the MVP conversation just two seasons earlier. For the Broncos, he represented their best chance in six years to return to the playoffs and finally solve their quarterback woes.
Excitement filled the Mile High stands for the first time in what felt like ages. Pundits were optimistic, predicting the Broncos as a playoff contender. Some even went so far as to suggest that Denver could make a serious run at the Super Bowl.
Sadly, none of those predictions came to fruition.
Russell Wilson experienced a dramatic decline in performance. Struggling to maintain his ideal playing weight throughout the season, his mobility—a key aspect of his game—was significantly compromised. He also faced difficulties making reads and locating open receivers, often missing throws in the middle of the field with frustrating inaccuracy.
However, the most exasperating aspect of his struggles was his inability to handle pressure in the pocket. Wilson was sacked 55 times in 15 games. He lacked pocket presence, frequently failing to diagnose where pressure was coming from, holding onto the ball too long, and taking avoidable sacks. It became painfully clear that Russell Wilson was no longer the dynamic player he had once been.
However, Russell Wilson’s inefficiency was only part of the problem. The Broncos faced an even bigger issue: Nathaniel Hackett. It became evident that Hackett was unprepared for the full scope of responsibilities that come with being an NFL head coach.
Worse still, the offensive playcalling—supposedly Hackett’s area of expertise—was a disaster. The unit lacked creativity, cohesion, and adaptability, often failing to capitalize on opportunities or adjust to in-game situations.
The only bright spot in the Broncos’ dismal 2022 season was their exceptional defensive unit. Recent additions, such as Pat Surtain II—a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft—proved to be invaluable. Denver’s defense consistently ranked among the best in the league, showcasing a mix of young talent and experienced leadership.
Yet, the stark imbalance between the team’s strengths was impossible to ignore. As impressive as the defense was, it could not compensate for an offense that was utterly ineffective. After all, what is the point of having an elite defense if your offense can’t capitalize on its efforts?
In the 2022 season, the Denver Broncos lost 12 games, tying the franchise’s record for losses in a season. Nathaniel Hackett was fired for his inability of adapating the offense to Russell Wilson.
Every time the fanbase thought things could not possibly get worse, the Broncos managed to hit a new low. The Walton-Penner family, the team’s new ownership group, recognized the need for a major shift in the franchise’s culture. They understood that in order to win consistently, a team must first establish a winning culture.
On February 3rd, 2023 the Broncos hired Sean Payton as their new head coach. To secure his services, Denver had to trade multiple high picks from that year’s NFL Draft to the New Orleans Saints, as Payton was still under contract with the team despite stepping away from coaching after the 2021 season. The idea of trading a coach for draft picks was highly unconventional and rarely seen in the NFL.
Payton brought with him an extensive résumé in professional football. He served as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints for 15 seasons, where he played a pivotal role in the development of quarterback Drew Brees. Their partnership was one of the most successful in NFL history, culminating in a victory in Super Bowl XLIV in 2009.
Denver’s front office hoped that Sean Payton could bring the winning culture he had cultivated in New Orleans to the Broncos’ locker room. They also expected Payton to work his magic with Russell Wilson, much like he had done with Drew Brees, helping transform him into one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Sure, Wilson was a veteran quarterback way past his prime, but it would not hurt to try, right?
What followed was yet another frustrating season for the Broncos. While Russell Wilson showed improvement compared to his disastrous 2022 campaign, his style of play simply did not align with Sean Payton’s coaching philosophy. The disconnect between quarterback and coach became increasingly evident as the season progressed.
Moreover, many of the weaknesses in Wilson’s game—particularly his tendency to take excessive sacks—persisted and became a significant source of frustration for Payton. Tensions boiled over at times, with visible arguments between the two on the sidelines, highlighting the strained relationship and the challenges of forging a cohesive offensive identity.
To make matters worse, the Broncos’ defense, which had been the team’s most reliable unit in recent years, began to falter. The struggles reached an unthinkable low in a game against the Miami Dolphins, which many fans considered the most humiliating moment in franchise history.
In that game, the Broncos allowed the Dolphins to score an astonishing 70 points—a feat that hadn’t been achieved by any NFL team in 57 years. The defensive collapse underscored the depth of the team’s issues, leaving fans and analysts questioning whether the once-proud franchise had truly hit rock bottom.
After that shameful game, however, some positives began to emerge from what initially seemed like a lost season. For the first time since 2015, there were glimpses of hope and progress within the Broncos organization. Slowly but surely, a culture shift appeared to be taking root in Denver, as players and coaches started to show resilience and a renewed sense of purpose. The defense, which had hit rock bottom earlier in the season, also steadily improved as the year progressed.
The Broncos narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing the season with an 8-9 record. While falling short of postseason contention was disappointing, the tangible culture shift within the team offered a glimmer of hope for the future.
However, for Sean Payton, it was evident that one position within the team had to be addressed with utmost urgency.
Towards the end of the season, Sean Payton made a shocking and controversial decision: he benched Russell Wilson in favor of backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham. The abrupt move sent shockwaves through the league and was met with widespread criticism from the national media, who labeled the decision as “disrespectful” to a veteran of Wilson’s stature.
After the season concluded, the Broncos made the difficult decision to cut Russell Wilson, marking the end of his tumultuous tenure in Denver. The move was financially painful, as it meant the team would absorb $85 million in dead money— the largest amount in NFL history at the time.
As controversial as the decision to cut Russell Wilson was, Denver’s fanbase placed their trust in Sean Payton to find the next franchise quarterback for the Broncos.
Free agency was simply not an option for the Broncos. With the enormous amount of dead money they had to absorb from cutting Russell Wilson, the team couldn’t afford to pursue a veteran quarterback. Besides, the history of failed attempts to find the right quarterback through free agency made the front office hesitant to take that route again. General manager George Paton understood that the solution to the team’s quarterback woes was in the NFL Draft.
The 2024 NFL Draft presented a variety of intriguing quarterback prospects, giving the Broncos a chance to select a potential future star. The top quarterbacks in the draft were USC’s Caleb Williams, LSU’s Jayden Daniels, and UNC’s Drake Maye, all of whom had impressive college careers and were considered elite talents.
Caleb Williams, widely regarded as the top overall pick, was a dynamic playmaker with excellent arm strength and mobility. Jayden Daniels impressed with his dual-threat abilities, showing off his versatility both in the air and on the ground. Drake Maye, on the other hand, showcased incredible poise and precision as a passer, drawing comparisons to some of the best quarterbacks in recent memory.
Behind these top-tier prospects were quarterbacks like Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Michigan’s JJ McCarthy, both of whom had strong college careers but were seen as more of a gamble. Penix Jr. displayed impressive arm talent and the ability to lead his team, while McCarthy’s leadership and potential were also highly regarded.
Secretly, the Broncos, who held the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, had their eyes on a player that many analysts considered a second-round prospect: Oregon’s Bo Nix.
Bo Nix was a quarterback surrounded by more questions than answers, which made him a polarizing prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. While his Oregon tape showed that he was capable of throwing the ball deep with accuracy and velocity, many NFL teams were skeptical about his ability to consistently make those types of throws at the professional level.
The concern stemmed from Oregon’s offensive system, which leaned heavily on short passes and quick throws to the perimeter. As a result, some analysts feared that Nix’s game might not translate well to the NFL, where deeper throws and more complex passing schemes are often required. The worry was that Nix could become a “checkdown merchant,” relying too heavily on short-yardage passes and failing to stretch the field in the way NFL quarterbacks need to.
While the media and other teams raised concerns about Bo Nix’s ability to translate to the NFL, one individual was willing to go all-in on him: Sean Payton.
On april 25th, 2024, the Denver Broncos selected Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
After the draft, Sean Payton could not hide the joy on his face. It was clear that he believed he had just secured a special player in Bo Nix. While the national media questioned the selection, citing Nix’s inconsistent college tape and concerns over his ability to adjust to the NFL, Payton was unwavering in his confidence. He knew that Nix had the potential to thrive under his guidance.
The Broncos’ ownership, front office, and coaching staff were all on the same page. They trusted Payton’s vision and were fully committed to developing Nix into the franchise quarterback they had been searching for. The decision to take Nix was bold, but it was one that reflected a clear understanding of his strengths and the belief that, with the right system, he could flourish.
In training camp, Bo Nix quickly silenced any remaining doubts about his readiness for the NFL. His skills, athleticism, and ability to adapt to the speed of the game were on full display. Nix’s strong arm, mobility, and poise under pressure impressed both the coaching staff and his teammates. It didn’t take long for Sean Payton and the Broncos’ front office to make the decision: Bo Nix would be the team’s starting quarterback heading into the 2024 season.
The announcement sent a wave of excitement through the fanbase. For the first time in years, the Broncos seemed to have found their quarterback of the future. Fans were eager to see how the rookie would perform on the big stage, especially with Payton’s system designed to highlight his strengths. Expectations were high, but so was the sense of optimism. The team, the coaching staff, and the fanbase all believed that this was the start of something special.
Week 1 couldn’t come soon enough. The excitement was palpable as the Broncos prepared to watch their new quarterback take the field for the first time. There was a renewed sense of hope in the Mile High City, as fans rallied behind Nix, hoping that the long search for a franchise quarterback had finally come to an end. The stage was set for a new chapter in Denver’s football history.
The excitement surrounding Bo Nix quickly turned into frustration as the rookie faced a tough start to his NFL career. In the first two games, the Broncos were up against two of the league’s most competent defenses: the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks. Both teams put immense pressure on Nix, and the results were not pretty. Denver’s offense struggled to find rhythm, and Nix seemed rattled in the pocket, unable to get anything going consistently. The Broncos started the season 0-2.
After that, though, Nix seemed to get more comfortable each week. After throwing his first NFL touchdown to Courtland Sutton in week 4 against the Jets, the quarterback found his rhythm and started looking like a veteran already, with a much better posture in the pocket.
The 2024 season for the Denver Broncos was not just about the emergence of Bo Nix, but also about the defense, which played at an elite level throughout the year. Led by a stellar group of players, the defense quickly became one of the most feared units in the NFL.
Cornerback Pat Surtain II continued to establish himself as one of the top defensive backs in the league, shutting down top receivers with ease and often being a game-changer in crucial moments. His ability to lock down any receiver in man-to-man coverage made him a key part of the Broncos’ defensive success.
Nik Bonitto, the edge rusher, proved to be a constant threat to quarterbacks. His speed, agility, and relentless motor made him one of the top pass rushers in the league, and his ability to disrupt the pocket played a crucial role in forcing turnovers and pressuring opposing offenses.
Alongside Bonitto, defensive lineman Zach Allen had a breakout season, contributing significantly both as a pass rusher and in stopping the run. His presence in the trenches made life difficult for offensive lines, and his ability to collapse the pocket helped keep quarterbacks uncomfortable throughout the season.
Together, these players formed the core of a defense that could dominate games and win every matchup. The Broncos’ defensive line and secondary became a nightmare for opposing offenses, often shutting down both the run and pass game with ease. Whether it was pressuring the quarterback, locking down receivers, or stuffing the run, the defense was consistently elite, ranking among the best in the league.
The Broncos were on the verge of securing a playoff spot, but their dreams seemed to be slipping away after back-to-back crushing defeats to the Chargers and Bengals. Despite the setbacks, the team still had one final chance to make it to the postseason: in week 18, they would face the Chiefs in the Mile High city.
In the most important game for the team since their Super Bowl victory, the Broncos did not give the Chiefs a chance to win. Offense and defense were clicking like never before, and the players’ motivation to make it to the postseason for the first time in almost 10 years was palpable. Bo nix threw for over 300 yards, 4 touchdowns, and had the most accurate game for a Broncos quarterback in franchise history.
As the clock ticked down, it was clear that the culture shift Sean Payton had envisioned was finally coming to fruition. Not only was it the first time several players would experience postseason football, but it was also the first time Broncos fans experienced true joy after what seemed like ages of mediocrity and disappointment.
The Broncos beat the Chiefs 38-0. They were officially in the NFL playoffs for the first time since Super Bowl 50.
The long and winding road that the Broncos traveled to reach the playoffs teaches us a valuable lesson in sports: when you hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up. And that is exactly what this team did. Years of poor decisions, misguided moves, and costly agreements are now behind them. What remains is a competent franchise that has learned from its past mistakes.
With a rookie quarterback and a young team, the future is looking bright for Denver. After eight years of losing, one of the most iconic franchises in the NFL is back. Fans can only hope that this team continues to improve, because football is simply more fun when the Broncos are winning.