Denver Broncos 2026 Preview

WRITTEN BY: HILOW

Coaching/Philosophy/Scheme Changes ::

• Offense: Head coach Sean Payton returns; promoted passing game coordinator Davis Webb to offensive coordinator. Webb received numerous head coaching interviews this offseason but ultimately remained with the franchise via the promotion.
• Defense: Vance Joseph returns as defensive coordinator, his fourth season in the position.

Personnel Changes ::

• Key free agent departures include DL John Franklin-Myers, S P.J. Locke, and LB Dre Greenlaw.
• Acquired WR Jaylen Waddle from the Dolphins in exchange for a 2026 first (No. 30 overall), third (No. 94), and fourth-round pick swap (No. 111 for No. 130).
• Had a relatively quiet free agency outside of the Waddle acquisition, instead focusing on re-signing key depth pieces.
• Added more depth via the draft after dealing away picks in the Waddle trade. Selected DT Tyler Onyedim in the third (No. 66 overall) and RB Jonah Coleman in the fourth (No. 108).
• QB Bo Nix attempts to return from a fractured ankle suffered in their AFC Divisional Round win. There is a lot to unpack here considering Payton alluded to the fact that Nix’s injury could have been the result of a congenital condition. “It wasn’t a matter of it, it was a matter of when,” Payton told reported on 26 January. And then there’s the aftermath of that comment, which raised some potential HIPAA issues in addition to seemingly creating a rift between the quarterback and his coach. The most recent credible report came from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who asserted that Nix is still on track for the start of training camp after a “scheduled re-check and subsequent cleanup procedure” in early May.

Schedule ::

• Divisional Games (6)::
  • Chiefs x 2, Raiders x 2, Chargers x 2
• AFC East (4)::
  • Bills, Dolphins, @Jets, @Patriots
• NFC West (4)::
  • Rams, Seahawks, @Cardinals, @49ers
• Jaguars, @Steelers, @Panthers

Bull Case ::

The bulk of the roster from a 2025 season in which the team averaged 23.2 points per game returns, with the key addition of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle giving this team another established threat through the air. Head coach Sean Payton continually led top-five offenses during his time with the Saints and has proven to be an adept offensive mind while quarterback Bo Nix should have his most talented assortment of skill position players that he’s had in his three-year professional career. Finally, the Broncos boast one of the league’s top offensive lines and return all five starters from a season ago. In 2025, this unit blocked to the sixth most adjusted rushing yards before contact and allowed below average pressure in the pass game.

Beyond what this team has working in its favor heading into 2026, they suddenly find themselves in a wide-open division considering the coaching and scheme changes for the Chargers, the fact that Patrick Mahomes is coming off a major injury, and the complete rebuild the Raiders currently find themselves in. The path to a second consecutive divisional title is palpable in Denver.