ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos have successfully concluded their lengthy playoff drought and have found potential stability in their quarterback situation this season, despite facing an unprecedented $91 million in dead cap charges.

With enhanced financial flexibility in 2025, a unified locker room devoid of any “divas”—as emphasized by quarterback Bo Nix—and a youthful roster that has seen five players earn All-Pro honors for the first time since the era of QB John Elway, the Broncos believe they are finally prepared to contend against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs for dominance in the AFC West.

“Absolutely, yeah, we could very easily have been 2-0 against the Chiefs this year, and our primary objective next season is to secure our division,” stated team owner Greg Penner during Wednesday’s end-of-season conference.

The Chiefs (15-2) have been the reigning division champions since 2016 and boast the top seed in the conference yet again, as they aim for an unprecedented three consecutive Super Bowl victories and their fourth championship under Mahomes’s leadership.

The Broncos (10-8) managed to split their games against the Chiefs for the second year in a row, experiencing a tight loss of 16-14 in Week 10—when Kansas City blocked a field goal attempt at the last moment—and later overpowering their backups with a 38-0 win in Week 18, which secured their first playoff appearance since the 2015 season.

Unfortunately, Denver’s recent defeat at Buffalo prevented them from securing a second chance against the Chiefs this weekend, a game they would have felt optimistic about.

“We’re not looking backward; we’re focused on the future,” Coach Sean Payton commented. “Our sights are set on the division. This team exudes confidence. Had we triumphed at Buffalo, we felt highly prepared for our matchup against Kansas City.”

“We are not fully there yet, but we have made significant progress compared to this time last year. The challenges we faced then were overwhelming,” he added.

As the Broncos reflect on a successful season and set their sights on 2025, Mahomes is undoubtedly a target in their sights. By then, the team’s dead cap charges will significantly decrease to $32.25 million, primarily tied to the remainder of Russell Wilson’s contract.

The organization’s approach is to focus on developing around Nix and bringing in players that complement the solid team chemistry built this season.

“Bo’s mention of no prima donnas is a strong indicator of what Sean is creating here,” Penner commented. “To cultivate a winning culture, high expectations must be universal, and individuals who seek the spotlight have no place here. We will continue to grow with this philosophy.”

“We pursue players who possess immense competitive drive and a strong desire to achieve.”

Payton expressed mixed feelings about the season, saying, “While there are many positives to draw from, it remains disappointing to conclude the way we did,” referencing the 31-7 defeat against the Bills and acknowledging that the team did not reach its full potential.

“I didn’t see a substantial gap until the second half,” he said. “I went in with confidence that we could perform well and secure a win. We fell short, but the differences are often subtler than they appear. It hinges on one or two players, the line of scrimmage, or even special teams.”

General Manager George Paton remarked that reaching the playoffs has only intensified their aspirations.

“Experiencing the playoffs highlights how near or far we are from our goals, and that must guide us going forward,” Paton noted. “Our focus this offseason is zeroing in on improvements that prepare us for challenges against teams like the Bills, Ravens, and Chiefs.”

As for roster improvements, enhancing positions at running back, tight end, and wide receiver would significantly benefit the Broncos moving into 2025. Payton indicated, however, that he was not ready to disclose specific needs. He did indicate a preference for managing carries between two running backs rather than three, as done last season.

After overhauling their medical and conditioning programs following a 2022 season that saw an alarming 134 games missed due to injury, the Broncos have emerged among the healthiest teams for the second consecutive year.

“Now, players are eager to be involved in recovery processes,” Payton explained. “They wish to partake in the offseason workouts and are avoiding external training facilities.”

“There’s now a pattern of stability over two years. Having experienced 134 injury-related absences in one season, we realized something was amiss. Yet, with less than 35 over two years, we finally see things going right.”