The Broncos will undoubtedly be more confident and believe that they can make progress in 2025 when they return for their offseason training.
The Broncos’ 2024 achievements, such as their 10 victories and their first playoffs appearance in over ten years, won’t matter, though, as they aim to make a comeback.
“The one thing we have to avoid is this idea that we are going to pick up where we left off,” Sean Payton, Coach, stated on Tuesday. That bothers me because our league has demonstrated that when the season finishes, you remove the proverbial game board, pull out all the pieces, and start again. You are undoubtedly more self-assured now, and many gamers have benefited from the experience, but the adventure has just begun.
The progress the team achieved in 2024 will only be significant if it keeps improving this offseason and beyond, according to general manager George Paton.
“It’s only a team on the rise if we take advantage of this offseason,” Paton stated. “As Sean mentioned, there are no guarantees for the future. We qualified for the playoffs. In the Wild Card, we were defeated. We’re starting again, just like you do. We are beginning anew. Our only goal is to improve our team every single day.
Filling the “needs” and “musts” of a roster is an issue that arises every offseason, according to Paton, and the Broncos are continuing their pre-draft review process at the Combine.
“We’re going to have to have a really good offseason,” Paton stated.
Nevertheless, the Broncos have a crucial component in the most crucial spot in the game. The Broncos attended the Combine twelve months ago in an attempt to find a long-term quarterback. The Broncos think they’ve found that player in Bo Nix.
“Obviously, with a young quarterback in place, it’s a little clearer than it was this time last year,” Payton stated. First of all, it’s a bit more obvious, in my opinion. We still believe that some of the things we have identified are significant. The next challenge is figuring out how to best satisfy those needs through the use of the draft and free agency. The draft has already been discussed at our front [draft] board meeting. In addition to seeing these guys this week, we’ve gotten off to a strong start in free agency in terms of the priorities and the film study. Being in that position is advantageous, and we must be able to capitalise on it.”
The Broncos will keep adding players to their roster, according to Paton, but he recognised the advantages of developing a young quarterback as Denver looks to the future.
“We have a few years obviously, but you always want to build and we want to build the right way, build the best team around the quarterback,” Paton stated. “The best offence, the best defence, and the best special teams are just our strategy going forward. Naturally, we want to include explosive elements, but just focus on assembling the best team possible around the quarterback. Perhaps as [Nix’s] career progresses, you become a little more aggressive.”
Payton thinks the Broncos’ signal-caller still has room to grow after assessing Nix’s first season, in which he led all rookie quarterbacks in almost every passing category.
“You had to watch the games,” stated Payton when asked why he believes Nix hasn’t hit his potential. “You have to watch the athleticism and the learning curve.”
