Enjoying near-2024 Chiefs-level success in one-score games, the Broncos rode to a 14-3 record and the AFC's No. 1 seed. Denver far outdistanced longtime AFC West kingpin Kansas City and won the division by three games. The team's recent extension recipients led the way, with six players extended in 2024 or 2025 earning original-ballot Pro Bowl nods and four collecting All-Pro honors.
More impressively, the Broncos extended their season to the AFC championship game with Russell Wilson's $32MM cap figure topping their payroll. While Denver fell just short of Super Bowl LX -- with Bo Nix's season-ending ankle injury bringing one of the bigger what-ifs in recent NFL history -- the team has a clear window to continue as a top-tier operation in 2026. The Broncos are now clear of Wilson's record-setting dead money sum, and with Nix on a rookie contract, 2026 represents a sweet spot of sorts for the rejuvenated franchise.
Coaching/front office:
- Fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi
- Davis Webb promoted as OC replacement
- DBs coach Jim Leonhard became Bills' defensive coordinator
- Senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael became Bills' OC
- DC Vance Joseph interviewed for Cardinals, Giants, Raiders, Ravens, Titans' HC jobs
- Webb interviewed for Bills, Raiders, Ravens' HC jobs, withdrew from Vegas search
- ST coordinator Darren Rizzi interviewed for Giants, Ravens' HC jobs
- Logan Kilgore promoted to QBs coach
Significant changes are on tap for Sean Payton's staff, though Denver's 2026 coach roster will include Joseph -- despite extensive HC interest -- and Webb even though teams pursued the latter for HC and OC jobs. Webb's status likely led to Lombardi's ouster. The longtime Payton underling was not viewed as a head coaching candidate despite the Broncos' recent success, and credit for Nix's development generally went to Payton and Webb. Lombardi, a three-stint Payton replacement, has landed with the Ravens.
