The Denver Broncos 2024 season has come to a close following their playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild card round. Despite the loss, the 2024 season was a year to remember to the organization and to the fans of the organization.
The Broncos were projected to win no more than five games in 2024, but exceeded expectations with a 10-win season and a playoff appearance.
It was the first playoff appearance for Denver since their Super Bowl winning season in 2015. From 2016-2023, the Broncos organization had been one of the more lackluster teams in the NFL.
During that time, the Broncos only had one winning season, which came in 2016, and had a revolving door of quarterbacks. The team also had a numerous number of head coaches during that time, with the longest being Vic Fangio from 2019-2021.
Since the arrival of Sean Payton and drafting quarterback Bo Nix, there’s now hope for a franchise that has a history of being successful.
As mentioned before, the Broncos were once projected to have a losing record and it looked like it was going to be that way after starting the year 0-2. However, after a dominant week 3 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Broncos have never looked back.
Nix exceeded all expectations heading into his rookie year. Behind Washington’s Jayden Daniels, Nix is considered the second best quarterback from the 2024 draft.
Like Daniels, Nix led the Broncos back to the playoffs after starting all 17 games this season. Nix threw 29 touchdown passes with only 12 interceptions, threw for 3,775 passing yards and rushed for 430 yards and four touchdowns.
If Daniels didn’t exist, by all accounts Nix would be the favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Nix was not the only standout on the 2024 Broncos, team staples such as Patrick Surtain and Garett Bolles continued their successful careers.
However, players such as Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, Brandon Jones and Riley Moss had breakout years for the team and are under contract for Denver for at least a few more years.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton had his second career 1,000 yard season, his first since 2019. Sutton finished the year 1,081 receiving yards on a career-high 81 catches with eight receiving touchdowns.
Second-year player Marvin Mims Jr. also broke out for the Broncos on the offensive side of the ball. Mims was named to his second career pro bowl and second all-pro team as a return specialist.
However, Mims also had a great season as wide receiver; he finished the year with 30 catches, 503 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
During their loss to Buffalo, it’s clear that Denver has a long way to go before they can be taken seriously. The team could use players at the running back spot, tight end position and wide receiver spot.
Despite the loss, the Broncos seemingly found their franchise QB in Nix and it looks like he and Sean Payton are building something in Denver.