The Denver Broncos have made discernible progress each year since Sean Payton took over as head coach. Prior to Payton’s arrival in 2022, the team went 5–12, with the 12 defeats tying for the most in franchise history. But in Payton’s debut in Denver in 2023, the team improved to 8–9 before going 10–7 with a Wild Card appearance in 2024. Last year, the Broncos took another step in going 14–3, winning their divisional round game and advancing to the AFC Championship Game, where they fell to the New England Patriots.
Following this linear path, the next step for Denver is making its ninth Super Bowl appearance, which would trail just the Patriots (12) for the most by any franchise in NFL history. One Broncos receiver, in particular, doesn’t just think or want the team to reach The Big Game, but he’s gone on record in saying he expects Denver to be playing for the Lombardi Trophy next February.
