NFL
By Keith Richards
After falling to the Bills 31-7, the Broncos 2024-25 season is over. However, the Denver Broncos should not hang their heads. The 2024-25 season for the Denver Broncos was a season of tangible progress. Many, including myself, did not pick this team to be anywhere near the playoffs. Yet, many, including myself, look silly as the Broncos did make the playoffs.
However, now that the season is over, what’s next for Sean Payton, Bo Nix, and Denver? What did the Broncos do this season that was tangible progress? The upcoming draft and free agency period for the Broncos is crucial. What do the Broncos need to do to build on that tangible progress? Well, let us discuss!
Year-Over-Year Tangible Progress
Fortunately, watching the Broncos play this season, the tangible progress is evident with the eye test. Still, the eye test doesn’t always tell the whole story. Sometimes, you must look at the raw data to see the entire picture. Look at the numbers for the 2023-24 Denver Broncos season:
- 21 PPG scored; 24.3 PPG allowed
- 9 passing yards per game; 233.6 passing yards per game allowed
- 28 passing touchdowns; 29 passing touchdowns allowed
- 52 times the QB was sacked; 42 times they sacked the opposing QB
- 5 rushing yards per game; 137.1 rushing yards per game allowed
- 26 takeaways; 22 giveaways (plus-four margin)
Now, look at the tangible progress of the 2024-25 Broncos season:
- 25 PPG scored; 18.3 PPG allowed
- 4 passing yards per game; 220.7 passing yards per game allowed
- 30 passing touchdowns; 22 passing touchdowns allowed
- 24 times the quarterback was sacked; 63 times they sacked the opposing quarterback
- 2 rushing yards per game; 96.4 rushing yards per game allowed
- 25 takeaways; 19 giveaways (plus-six margin)
As I say, it’s tangible progress. However, now is the time that I eat crow. Still, only a little crow. I’m not ready to, however, completely admit fault. Where I will eat crow is admitting that Bo Nix had a better season than I anticipated. Bo Nix’s rookie season was full of ups and downs. Overall, though, you must say that it was a successful season.
In his rookie season, Nix finishes with 3,775 yards passing, 222.1 passing YPG, 29 touchdowns, 12 INTS, 430 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns. That’s first among all rookies for passing yards and passing touchdowns. Also, Nix ends up third in rushing yards for rookie QBs and second for rushing touchdowns. Without question, you can only say it was a successful rookie season for Bo Nix.
The defense was dominant from start to finish—it’s important to point out that wording: from start to finish. The 2023-24 season’s start is one Denver Broncos fans do not care to remember. While only allowing 17 points to Las Vegas in the opener, the Broncos defense would allow 35, 70, 31, and 31 points in four consecutive games.
That is not a typo. The Denver Broncos defense let the Dolphins score 70 points: one more than 69 and one less than 71. To their credit, though, the defense clamped down for the rest of the season. Only the Detroit Lions put up more than 30 (42 points) against the defense for the rest of the season. The Denver Broncos finish the 2024-25 season with significant tangible progress by almost any measure.
The following notable players will be unrestricted free agents as soon as the season ends:
- Zach Wilson
- D.J. Jones
- Jarrett Stidham
- Javonte Williams
- Cody Barton
- Ja’Quan McMillian
- Justin Strnad
- Michael Burton
- Lil’jordan Humphrey
In 2025, the following notable players will become unrestricted free agents if they do not get a new contract:
- Courtland Sutton
- Zach Allen
- Alex Singleton
- John Franklin-Myers
- Will Lutz
- Adam Trautman
- Malcolm Roach
- J. Locke
- Nik Bonitto
- Jaleel McLaughlin
The Denver Broncos could potentially lose 19 players to free agency between this season and next. Of course, the Broncos will not lose all 19 of those players. Still, it’s unlikely that Denver will keep all the players on their wish list, either. For the 2025-26 season, Denver currently has a $58,395,226 available salary cap. It will be the first year they see relief from the Russell Wilson dead cap hit, but, as I stated above, some players have already inked new deals.
Who are the Broncos willing to part with? Courtland Sutton comes off his best season with the team since 2019. Still, it’s only Sutton’s second 1,000-yard season with the team. If the team decides to keep Courtland, how much will they pay him? Also, it’s a similar question for Javonte Williams. Though I do not believe it will be easy to let Williams walk, nothing is certain.
The biggest names on the list are Alex Singleton, Nik Bonitto, P.J. Locke, D.J. Jones, Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, and Cody Barton. All these players played significant roles in the 2024-25 season. Remember, the goal is to build on this season’s tangible progress. If continuing tangible progress is the goal, some tough decisions will soon follow for George Paton. That’s what the 2025 NFL Draft and Free Agency come in.
For the 2025 Draft, Denver has seven picks in the upcoming draft. They have one pick each in rounds 1-4 and three picks in the sixth round. Given likely departures, the Broncos, between free agency and the draft, need to fill the following positions most:
- Inside linebacker
- Wide receiver
- Tight end
- Backup QB
In addition, CB depth is a question. Surtain II and Moss are good at CB1 and CB2. However, it’s sketchy behind them. Denver has one of the best pass-blocking offensive lines, but run-blocking is not always ideal. Competition never hurt anyone and offensive line depth, especially at tackle, would be great. If the team moves on from Javonte Williams, they will need to replenish their running back ranks, which they should be able to do easily enough in the draft.
Again, tangible progress. These are the words the Denver Broncos will need to remember as this season ends. They are the words to remember as the 2025-26 begins. If the Broncos continue to build on their tangible progress, they may be in contention for another Super Bowl championship sooner rather than later.
