All the pieces are in place, and all systems are go for the Denver Broncos as they kick off the 2025 football season at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium on Sunday. The third time should be the charm for Head Coach Sean Payton, as he enters his third season at the helm of the team. He has clearly put his stamp on it. Under the new ownership, entering its fourth season, all indications point to a positive direction, rebounding from the disastrous trade stemming from the Russell Wilson era.

With quarterback Bo Nix having one year under his belt that resulted in a playoff berth, the full playbook is now at the signal caller’s disposal, complete with an upgraded offense and a fortified defense. While every year is a fresh start for every team, this season has an air of realistic expectations and renewed hope, lending itself to optimism and confidence for the Broncos.

Already a top-rated defense in the NFL in 2024, the Broncos have added two new starters to the lineup who are expected to significantly improve the unit. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga, both formerly with the San Francisco 49ers, are key pieces that are expected to take the Broncos to the next level. In addition, their number one overall draft pick, Jahdae Barron, brings a versatile defensive back to go alongside the NFL’s 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, Patrick Surtain II. The Broncos led the NFL in sacks last season with a total of 63, followed by the Baltimore Ravens with 54. Nik Bonitto was the team leader for the Broncos with 13.5.

On offense, the team’s running game was a disappointment last season. Javonte Williams is no longer with the team after his departure to the Dallas Cowboys. This season, it will be JK Dobbins, formerly with the Los Angeles Chargers, and rookie running back RJ Harvey carrying the football. Both Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie will be returning to the lineup as backups.

Courtland Sutton, fresh off a new contract, is the number one wide receiver, with Marvin Mims Jr. the number two. Troy Franklin returns for his second season, joined by Trent Sherfield Sr., and rookie Pat Bryant as prime targets for quarterback Bo Nix. The tight end position also got an upgrade with ninth-year player Evan Engram joining the team, formerly with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I think this year’s team has a chance to be, but I think the biggest thing we always talk about, you’re not ever picking up where you left off,” Head Coach Sean Payton told the Denver Sports Report. “But I do think this year’s team has a chance to be better. We’ve added depth at certain positions we didn’t have a year ago. We were in the largest cap deficit in dead money in the history of maybe all of sports, but certainly in the NFL, with around $90 million. We’re not in that position this year; it’s two-thirds of an operating budget, but this team’s going to have to do that. Same amount of games, one game more, they’re going to write this chapter and we’re going to all be here for it. And our job’s to try to accomplish that, but we’re right at the beginning with a lot of work ahead of us.”

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