The Denver Broncos feel confident about their current and future quarterback despite a challenging end to the 2024 NFL season.
After a promising 10-7 regular season that ended an eight-year playoff drought, the Broncos were eliminated from the postseason with a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wild-card game. However, the team remains optimistic about the future, particularly with Bo Nix, whom they selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Nix, who took over as the Broncos’ starting quarterback from day one, showed plenty of promise in his rookie season. Although he faced the usual challenges, his 29 touchdown passes rank among the best for a rookie quarterback, second only to Justin Herbert’s 31 in 2020. Nix also became one of just five rookies in NFL history to throw for at least 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns in his first season.
“He’s very conscientious, and I think it’s all in front of him,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Wednesday. “I think we’ve found that player that can lead us and be what we need to have the success we’re used to having.”
Despite the loss to Buffalo, Payton is encouraged by Nix’s progress, citing areas where the young quarterback can grow, such as in handling pressure situations and third-down scenarios. Payton added that he believes Nix will continue to develop and improve in the offseason.
“He never flinched; we’d be behind in games, we always came back,” said Broncos general manager George Paton. “You’re always looking for that ‘it’ factor, and he’s got it.”
The Broncos’ leadership, including owner and CEO Greg Penner, has clarified that their focus is on narrowing the gap with AFC powerhouses, particularly the Kansas City Chiefs, who have dominated the division for the past nine seasons. Penner emphasized that the Broncos aim to win the AFC West next season.
“We could have very easily been 2-0 against the Chiefs this year,” Penner said. “Our absolute goal next year is to win our division.”
While the Broncos faced tough losses to three of the remaining four AFC teams this season — including a narrow 16-14 defeat to the Chiefs — Payton remains optimistic. He acknowledged the Broncos are close to being a legitimate contender.
“I didn’t see a gap last weekend until the second half,” Payton said. “But those lines are much finer than we think. It’s a player, it’s two players, it’s line of scrimmage. We’re a lot closer than we were at this time a year ago.”
As the Denver Broncos prepare for the offseason, there is a sense of confidence around the organization. With Bo Nix at the helm and a strong foundation in place, Denver is hopeful they can build on their playoff appearance and make the necessary strides to compete with the top teams in the AFC in 2025.
