With training camp behind us, the Broncos have finalized their roster and are looking forward to the beginning of the 2026 season and their Week 1 season opener at Kansas City on Monday Night Football. The Broncos are coming off a 14-3 season, an AFC West Title, and a berth in AFC Championship Game. The expectations have changed in Denver. Just like last year, I'm doing a preview of the Broncos season as the 2026 season is about to get going. Here's this year's 2026 Denver Broncos Preview......
Where we left off? The last time we saw the Broncos they were walking off Empower Field at Mile High in a snowstorm just as they lost to the Patriots 10-7 in the AFC Championship Game. Bo Nix got hurt in the Divisional Round win over Buffalo the week before, and the Broncos played hard in his absence, but fell short in disappointing fashion to end a great 2025 season.
What changed? The Broncos really ran it back in the offseason. They brought most of their key players back. They added Jaylen Waddle to the offense, and lost Dre Greenlaw and Jonathan Franklin-Meyers. Otherwise, the team is basically the same. One of the biggest changes in the offseason was Sean Payton giving up play-calling in favor of OC Davis Webb.
New Faces in Denver: The Broncos were quiet in the beginning of free agency, but made a big trade a few days in when they acquired WR Jaylen Waddle from the Dolphins. Waddle is the explosive playmaker that this offense desperately needed. In the draft, Denver added DT Tyler Onyedim and RB Jonah Coleman. Both are expected to contribute in a some way during the season.
Bo Nix Year 3: Bo Nix enters his third season as the Broncos QB, and he has gained a reputation as a great late-game, come from behind QB. Nix threw for 3,931 yards, 25 TDs and 11 INT last season. He also ran for five TDs. He led Denver to a 14-3 record, the AFC West Title, the #1 overall seed in the AFC, and defeated the Bills in the Divisional Round for Denver's first playoff win in 10 years. He outplayed Josh Allen in that game, and proved to be one of the best up and coming QBs in the NFL. His broken ankle on the second to last play of the Divisional Playoff Game ended his season and he missed the AFC Championship. If anyone had doubts about how much Nix means to the Broncos, then look at how badly Denver missed him in the that game against the Pats. If Nix plays, then the Broncos go to the Super Bowl.
Rookies to Watch: Tyler Onyedim was drafted to rotate in and help ease the departure of Johnathan Franklin-Meyers. RB Jonah Coleman was drafted to compete for playing time in the backfield and contribute to the run game. It will be interesting to see how Coleman can get on the field and make an impact.
Impact Players: On offense, obviously you want Bo Nix to continue his rise to a franchise QB, and he does need to elevate his game even more. Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Marvin Mims, and Pat Bryant could give the Broncos one of the best receiving groups in the NFL. The offense needs to take the next step with this group. On defense, the Broncos have a lot to live up from last season's performance. But, they have impact players at each level. Zach Allen on the defensive line, Nik Bonitto off the edge, and Pat Surtain at CB. This group has depth too, but these three players have to have great seasons again for the defense to continue to be a force.
Schedule Outlook: The Broncos have the roughest and toughest six games to start the season that I can remember in a long, long time. They go to KC Week 1, then host Jacksonville Week 2. They host the Rams in Week 3, and they head to SF in Week 4 and the Chargers in Week 5. In Week 6, they host the Seahawks on TNF. They have 5 out of their first 6 games against teams who made the playoffs last year, and the other game is against the returning Pat Mahomes in Arrowhead on MNF. If Denver can be 3-3 after those first six games, then they are in good shape the rest of the way.
Final Thoughts: After making the playoffs in 2024 and making it to the AFC Championship in 205, the expectations have changed in Denver. GM George Paton has created a solid roster, and HC Sean Payton and changed the culture in Denver and made the Broncos into a contender. The Broncos are now considered one of the top teams in the AFC. A deep playoff run and/or berth in the Super Bowl is now the goal and expectation for this team. Anything less than that is a disappointment in 2026.
