The Denver Broncos have a lot of big decisions to make this offseason, but the biggest one isn’t about a single player, or even a positional group. According to Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus, the Broncos biggest decision is about how to upgrade the team at the skill positions, and that’s a problem that doesn’t come with any easy solutions.
Consider the issues, which start at running back. The Broncos basically had no running game by the end of the season, and it cost them dearly in the AFC Championship game, which turned into a weather game that Denver lost to the New England Patriots, 10-7. That game might have had a very different outcome if the Broncos had had a big back who could run between the tackles, but Denver couldn’t get anything done on the ground at all.
The receiving group could be just as problematic. Tight end Evan Engram was the weak link there, but the question is whether the Broncos cut him, then try to find another free agent replacement or address his lack of production in the draft. It’s going to be tough to find a rookie tight end who could even do what Engram did, assuming the Broncos decide to go that route to solve the problem.
The receiving group is in better shape, but there are still issues. Receiver Courtland Sutton is great at moving the chains, and he’s a big target in the red zone, but he could use some help. Maybe Troy Franklin takes another step up in that regard, or maybe it’s Pat Bryant who makes a jump after his rookie year, but both receivers are a little on the small side, as is Marvin Mims Jr. who as equal or greater value as a return man.
Coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton will face the big temptation to go for another playmaker, but that comes with risks as well. Payton has praised his young receives extensively, and ti wouldn’t exactly go over well if he goes out and replaces one of them with a big free agent signing or a top draft pick, especially given the chaos Payton created after the New England loss with Bo Nix and his coaching staff.
Finally, there’s the quarterback position. Bo Nix isn’t normally considered an issue here, but he might be now after breaking his ankle in the division round against Buffalo. His relationship with Payton seems frayed at best, and there’s also the question of whether Payton is willing to go into the season with Jarrett Stidham as his primary quarterback, at least until Nix gets healthy again. There’s a lot in play with this question, and Denver’s status as a Super Bowl contender in 2026 hangs in the balance.