Renck: So much attention has been paid to the Broncos’ surprising playoff berth last season that it has left little time for hand-wringing about a sobering reality: they haven’t accomplished anything. Sean Payton did not leave the golf course in Coeur d’Alene and the set of Fox Sports to go the postseason, something he accomplished nine times in New Orleans. He took the Broncos job to win his second Super Bowl. His words, not mine. Against that backdrop, it raises the question: What qualifies as a successful season? Winning the AFC West? Returning to the postseason? Hosting a playoff game? Winning one?
Keeler: The Chiefs can be had. You know it. I know it. Most importantly, Payton knows it. This thing has just scratched the surface. The best part about nailing QB1 with Bo Nix, and nailing that position with a rookie, is that it opens up time, money (for now) and sweat you can pour into everything else. You’ve got the best offensive line in the AFC. On paper, you should have the best defense. Coach and QB are singing from the same hymnal. If this team hosts a playoff game in January, that’s progress.
Renck: The Broncos exceeded external expectations with 10 wins in 2024. That is the floor. The ceiling remains unsettling. The Broncos are better and could finish with nine or 10 victories again because of the Kansas Chiefs, who have posted nine straight AFC West titles, and surging Chargers. But the Broncos are not looking to qualify for the playoffs. It’s about doing damage when they get there. That is why they were so intentional with their roster upgrades. This team was built to win the West — especially with its edge rushers and secondary. Failing to reach this goal would not prevent a playoff run, but it would be a letdown since we are all exhausted by the Chiefs.
Keeler: I’m with ya, but here’s the thing: The rest of the neighborhood hasn’t exactly gotten easier to navigate. The Raiders got Broncos Country’s draft man crush in Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and are trying to become Seahawks South by reuniting Geno Smith and Pete Carroll. Don’t know if that plan will work, but it’s a plan, which is more than you can usually say for Mark Davis. The Chargers drafted Omarion Hampton, our other man crush. Much as we want the Bolts to take the hint and go away, they’re going to be feisty until Jim Harbaugh whips out the flamethrower and starts burning bridges again.
Renck: Payton is obsessed with winning another title. He knows the Chiefs, despite a slightly improved offensive line, are vulnerable. Broncos players recognize they have entered their window as legitimate contenders. They don’t have to win their first AFC West crown since 2015 to look back fondly at this season. They have to win a playoff game. Full stop. They are not as young as 2024, but they still have peach fuzz. And their hunger has not been quenched. If anything, the embarrassment in Buffalo has left them starving to reach the next step: advancing to the NFL’s elite eight.
Keeler: Let’s lower that bar a tad. Why? Precedent. The three longest non-active (hello, Jets) AFC postseason droughts this century were snapped by the Bengals (14 seasons, 2005), Bills (17 seasons, 2017) and Browns (17 seasons, 2020), respectively. None of those teams made the playoffs the year after they’d snapped their streaks. The schedule says 11 wins. History says eight. If the Broncos split the difference and make the postseason with nine or 10 victories, even if it’s not a huge step forward, it’s still a step in the right direction.
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