With training camp behind us, the Broncos have finalized their roster and are looking forward to the beginning of the 2025 season and their Week 1 season opener at home against Tennessee. For the first time in almost ten seasons, the Broncos are coming off a playoff berth the season before. The expectations for the franchise have completely shifted. Just like last year, I'm doing a preview of the Broncos season as the 2025 season is about to get going. Here's this year's 2025 Denver Broncos Preview......
Where we left off? The last time we saw the Broncos they were on the losing end of a 31-10 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park in the Wild Card round. It was a disappointing way to go out on a great 10-7 turnaround season and their first playoff berth since 2015.
What changed? For the first time since 2014, the Broncos are returning the same head coach and quarterback from the previous season. Sean Payton and Bo Nix return in their respective roles, so there was not big changes in the two most important aspects of the team. Most of the coaching staff and both coordinators return to the team as well. The word stability has not been the norm in Denver for a while, but it is that way now.
New Faces in Denver: The Broncos added key free agents on defense with the addition of LB Dre Greenlaw and Safety Talanoa Hufanga. In the draft, Denver added CB Jahdae Barron and RB RJ Harvey. The additions of Greenlaw and Hufanga look to strengthen a defense that is already supposed to be a top unit in the league. Denver also added TE Evan Engram to the offensive side of the ball. Engram becomes the best TE option in Denver since Julius Thomas over 10 years ago.
Bo Nix Year 2: Bo Nix enters his second season as the Broncos QB, and he is coming off a very successful rookie year. Nix threw for 3,775 yards, 29 TDs and 12 INT last season. He also ran for four TDs and caught one. He accound for 34 total TDs and led Denver to a 10-7 record and a playoff appearance,. His development in year two will be a major factor in what happens to the Broncos in 2025.
Rookies to Watch: Three rookies are poised to make a significant impact for the Broncos in 2025. First round pick Jahdae Barron is expected to become a nickel CB and help add to a loaded secondary. 2nd round pick RJ Harvey is expected to get a lot of carries this season and become a weapon for this offense. WR Pat Bryant was drafted in the 3rd round and he will be expected to help in the passing game-especially after the team traded Devaughn Vele to the Saints.
Impact Players: On offense, obviously you want Bo Nix to build on his rookie year and take the next step in his second year at QB. Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram are going to have to provide some big plays in the passing game. RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins are hopefully going to add juice from the running game as well. On defense, the Broncos have Zach Allen, Nik Bonnito, and Pat Surtain all coming back from All-Pro seasons. If Greenlaw can help in the middle of the defense at LB, and Hufanga can improve the backend of the secondary, then this defense can be special.
Schedule Outlook: The Broncos have two very winnable games in the first two weeks of the season. In Week 1, they host the Titans and they head to Indy to take on the Colts in Week 2. They have to be 2-0 because they have a three game stretch that features at the Chargers, home against Cincy on MNF, and at Philly.
Final Thoughts: After making the playoffs in 2024, the expectations in Denver have changed. We will see if the Broncos can take the next step. Denver is getting a lot of praise this summer as we head into the season. The overwhelming majority of national writers, insiders, and hosts are going big on the Broncos in 2025. That definitely scares me. I like to fly under the radar and surprise everyone when the season starts. I think this is a very talented roster with some really good depth in certain spots. I think the floor for this team is 7 wins, but I'm not sure Denver is in the 13/14 win range like a lot of people have predicted. I think they will be competitive and a solid team, but with the AFC West being so competitive, I think we need to temper the expectations in Denver in 2025
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