The Denver Broncos exceeded expectations during the 2025 season, culminating in a deep playoff run that ended just short of a Super Bowl appearance in the AFC Championship Game. While the defense established itself as a championship-caliber unit, the Denver Broncos offense remains the final piece of the puzzle. As the team enters the 2026 offseason, the front office and coaching staff must bridge the gap between being a playoff contender and a legitimate title favorite.
Head coach Sean Payton has successfully stabilized the franchise, but the margin for error on the offensive side of the ball remains razor-thin. To take the next step, Denver must address specific personnel and schematic deficiencies that surfaced during the 2025 campaign. From the continued maturation of their young quarterback to the need for more explosive playmakers, here are the four key areas where the Denver Broncos offense must improve this offseason.
1. Refining Bo Nix’s Efficiency in Year 3
Quarterback Bo Nix took a significant step forward in his second NFL season, showing the poise and leadership Sean Payton envisioned when he drafted him. However, for the Broncos to compete with the elite offenses of the AFC, Nix must find a higher level of consistency. In 2025, Nix finished the season with a completion percentage of 63.4%, a respectable mark that reflects his growth but still leaves room for improvement within Payton’s precision-based timing system.
One of the primary concerns for the Denver Broncos offense was the frequency of stalled drives. Denver struggled with the second-highest percentage of three-and-outs in the NFL, a metric that directly correlates to Nix’s ability to stay ahead of the chains. While Nix showed flashes of brilliance—ranking near the top of the league in completion percentage over expectation during a mid-season four-game stretch—the goal for 2026 is to turn those flashes into a season-long standard. Entering his third year, Nix’s mastery of the playbook will be the most important factor in Denver’s success.
2. Establishing a Consistent and Durable Run Game
A reliable rushing attack is the best friend of a developing quarterback, and the Broncos learned that the hard way in 2025. The addition of JK Dobbins in free agency initially looked like a masterstroke, as his vision and burst provided a much-needed spark to the backfield. However, his injury history caught up with him, and the offense struggled to maintain its identity once he was sidelined.
To improve the Denver Broncos offense, the team must find a way to replicate the dominant ground performances of the past without relying on a single, injury-prone player. During the 2025 season, the run game lacked the explosive consistency seen in previous years, often leaving Nix in difficult third-and-long situations. Whether through the draft or another strategic free-agent signing, Denver needs a durable "bell-cow" back or a more effective committee to ensure they can close out games and control the clock in the postseason.
3. Maximizing the Versatility of Marvin Mims Jr.
Wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. remains one of the most intriguing pieces of the Broncos' roster, yet his full potential has yet to be realized. In 2025, Mims recorded 322 receiving yards, a dip from his previous production that suggests he is still searching for a defined role in the passing hierarchy. Despite the lower yardage totals, Mims remains the team's primary vertical threat and a dangerous weapon in the return game.
Sean Payton began experimenting with Mims in creative ways late in the season, even lining him up in the backfield to take advantage of his speed in space. This offseason, the coaching staff must prioritize integrating Mims into the base offense more effectively. To elevate the Denver Broncos offense, Mims needs to be more than a "gadget" player; he needs to become a consistent target who can stretch the field and create the big-play opportunities that were often missing during the 2025 campaign.
4. Upgrading the Receiving Corps and Tight End Room
While Courtland Sutton continues to be a reliable veteran presence and a favorite target for Nix in contested-catch situations, the overall efficiency of the receiving corps needs an upgrade. In 2025, Sutton’s efficiency metrics highlighted a growing need for help; he ranked near the bottom of the league in yards per route run among wide receivers with at least a 20% target share. This suggests that while Sutton is catching the ball, he isn't creating the separation necessary to generate significant yards after the catch.
Potential Personnel Moves
- Targeting a True WR1: The Broncos were reportedly linked to Miami’s Jaylen Waddle at the 2025 trade deadline. Revisiting a trade for a high-end separator would transform the geometry of the field for Bo Nix.
- Tight End Development: Denver needs more consistent production from the tight end position to provide Nix with a safety valve in the middle of the field.
- Draft Strategy: With a deep class of pass-catchers expected in the upcoming draft, using early capital on a dynamic playmaker is a logical move.
The Path to a Super Bowl Run
The foundation in Denver is strong. The defense has proven it can keep the team in any game, and Bo Nix has shown he belongs in the NFL. However, the 2025 season proved that a great defense can only take a team so far if the offense stagnates in key moments. By focusing on Nix’s efficiency, stabilizing the run game, unlocking Marvin Mims Jr., and adding elite talent to the perimeter, the Denver Broncos offense can finally match the elite standard set by their defensive counterparts.
If the front office can successfully navigate these four areas this offseason, the Broncos won't just be looking for another playoff appearance in 2026—they will be legitimate contenders to bring a fourth Lombardi Trophy to the Mile High City.
Sources & Original Reporting