1 Critical Aspect ‘Separates’ Broncos Amid Surge in Optimism

Bo Nix settled the quarterback position for the Denver Broncos last season, and his progress is one of the key reasons for optimism around the team this season. It is not just Nix, though, as the Broncos’ defense remains among the most formidable units.

Moreover, they added more teeth in free agency and the draft this offseason.

NFL Network’s Jeffri Chadiha believes that the Broncos “make the most sense” as a challenger to the top AFC contenders and that their defense is “what separates them” from similar teams.

“The Broncos have one of the best units in the league,” Chadiha wrote on June 12. Denver has arguably the best edge-rushing duo in the league in Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper. It has a disruptive interior presence in Zach Allen and the NFL’s best cornerback tandem in Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss. If the new players added this offseason — linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Jahdae Barron, the team’s first-round pick — live up to the hype, this will be the best defense in the league.

“Yes, the Broncos are betting on a lot of dudes with long injury histories staying healthy. It’s also worth pondering where this team could go if that actually happens.”

The Broncos’ defense led the NFL with a franchise-record 63 sacks in 2024.

They were also one of the more blitz-heavy teams, so their pressure was intentional and not just the circumstances of the tremendous talent on the roster. Bonitto ranked third in the NFL with 13.5 sacks, while Allen tied for fourth-most among interior defensive linemen with 8.5 sacks.

Broncos Offense Could Close Gap on Defense

The Broncos’ defense was not the only reason for Chadiha’s optimism, with Nix named first among the reasons for encouragement.

“The offense should also be better this season now that quarterback Bo Nix has a second year in head coach Sean Payton’s offense, and there are more weapons in the mix (including running backs RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins and tight end Evan Engram),” Chadiha wrote.

Chadhia is not alone in forecasting a step forward for the Broncos’ offense in 2025.

The group ranked 10th in scoring and was 19th overall, relying heavily on Nix (sixth in attempts) and the passing game.

“The Broncos return all five starters from an offensive line that played at an elite level last season,” NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice wrote on June 1. “Payton made another early draft pick that had some folks calling REACH! But don’t count me among those questioning second-round selection R.J. Harvey — I’m a big fan of this compact, shifty back with supreme contact balance. With Denver signing J.K. Dobbins this week, Payton’s assembling the kind of multifaceted backfield that served him well in New Orleans.”

Filice expects Nix to “pick up where he left off.”

Nix completed 68.3% of his passes for 3,115 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions from Week 5 (in October) through the end of the regular season. With the defense backing him, the Broncos are primed for success.

Bo Nix, Defense Have Broncos Primed for Deep Playoff Run

The Broncos won 10 games in 2024. They did that despite going 1-6 in one-score games. Two more wins last season would not have won them the AFC West, let alone the conference. But it would have given them the No. 5 seed over the Los Angeles Chargers.

That would have pitted the Broncos against the Houston Texans rather than the No. 2-seeded Buffalo Bills, a likely welcome trade-off despite the presence of C.J. Stroud, et al.

The Bills also have reigning MVP Josh Allen.

The Broncos can take a step forward simply by closing out games better, and their presumed improvements on defense and in the running game should help Nix and Co. do just that this coming season.