Mixed emotions filled the Denver Broncos’ locker room on Monday after they ended their playoff drought, only to suffer a big loss in Buffalo.
“This year was good but not good enough,” said All-Pro right guard Quinn Meinerz, as he and his teammates packed up for a later-than-usual offseason that came earlier than expected.
The Broncos (10-8) finally found their quarterback in Bo Nix, who led them to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season. Nix also became the first rookie QB to start a playoff game in the team’s history.
After jumping out to a 7-0 lead with Nix’s 43-yard touchdown throw to Troy Franklin, the Broncos’ lack of a strong running game, limited tight ends, and lack of support around receiver Courtland Sutton became clear in their 31-7 loss.
“We got smacked right in our faces,” said left tackle Garett Bolles, who is determined to use the tough loss as motivation for 2025.
The Broncos had the most sacks in the NFL this season, with a franchise-record 63, but they only managed to sack Josh Allen twice. The Bills rushed for 210 yards, led by James Cook’s 120 yards.
“One of the things we learned early on is we got to find a way to play these games at home,” said coach Sean Payton.
This means the Broncos need to overcome the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won nine straight division titles. The Chiefs (15-2) are only three wins away from a Super Bowl three-peat.
However, the Broncos were close to sweeping the Chiefs this season. They lost 16-14 in Week 10 due to a blocked field goal as time expired. After that game, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told Payton, “You got one,” referring to Denver finally having a franchise QB.
“We were in all those games, every single one of them,” Bolles said of the Broncos’ 3-3 division record. “None of them were blowouts. I think we’re right there. I think we need to get some more playmakers.”
The Broncos easily defeated the Chiefs 38-0 in Week 18, with Nix playing his best game to secure their playoff spot for the first time since winning the Super Bowl after the 2015 season.
Tough man:
Nix’s impressive season became even more remarkable when he revealed he played through a transverse process fracture in his lumbar spine. He was injured in a game against the Raiders on November 24 but still managed to lead the team to a win over the Browns on December 2 before the Broncos’ bye week.
“I wasn’t going to miss my first Monday night game, so I got treatment on it and then we were fortunate to have an off week that next week and then it kind of went away after that,” Nix said.
Some of his offensive linemen praised Nix’s toughness.
“The dude’s phenomenal,” said Bolles. “Like I told you all year long, he’s not a rookie. You would think he’s a 10-year vet the way he acts, the way he’s composed, the way he leads our offense and leads this team.”
Nix, the sixth quarterback taken in the NFL draft, was one of only two rookie QBs — the other being Washington’s Jayden Daniels — to lead their teams into the playoffs.
Nix’s 29 touchdown passes were just two shy of Justin Herbert’s NFL rookie record.
Smart shoppers:
The Broncos made the playoffs despite having an NFL-record $89 million in dead cap charges in 2024, including $53 million from releasing quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson’s cap hit will drop to $32 million in 2025, and the Broncos are projected to have nearly $50 million in cap space in the spring of 2025.
Star-studded roster:
Five Broncos were named AP All-Pros in 2024, the most since 1996. Cornerback Patrick Surtain, punt returner Marvin Mims Jr., and Meinerz were named first-team All-Pro. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto and defensive tackle Zach Allen made second-team All-Pro. Bonitto had a career-high 13 1/2 sacks, and Allen had a career-high 8 1/2 sacks, plus another 1 1/2 at Buffalo.
Terrific in the trenches:
The Broncos had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, with Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Meinerz, and Mike McGlinchey. Bolles (four years, $82 million) and Meinerz (four years, $72 million) signed extensions, while Powers (four years, $51.5 million) and McGlinchey (five years, $87.5 million) joined in free agency.
Farewell, VJ?
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who coached the Broncos from 2017-18, is interviewing for head coaching jobs with the Jets and Raiders.
“I would be the first one to stand on a table and say he deserves to be” a head coach again, linebacker Alex Singleton said. “But I don’t want him to leave Denver anytime soon.”
