When it comes to what the oddsmakers think the Denver Broncos can do in 2026, the answer is pretty simple: Not Much.
DraftKings put the Broncos on notice this week with the release of its first over/under win total projections for 2026, tabbing the Broncos at 9.5 wins (-110) following a season in which they went 14-3 and earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs.
Even more confusing? The Broncos return almost every significant starter on both sides of the ball.
Perhaps the final slap in the face came with 2 more projections in the AFC West Division — the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers both at 10.5 wins.
The Chiefs went 6-11 in 2025 while the Chargers went 11-6.
“I mean … the Chiefs will get back Patrick Mahomes after his injury, and the Chargers had some injuries they dealt with, as well,” ESPN’s Damien Woody said on Thursday. “But that seems pretty low for the Broncos … the AFC West is going to be a battle.”
Biggest Questions for Broncos on Offense
The Broncos didn’t try to make a lot of excuses following a 10-7 home loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, even though there was 1 readily available — they played without starting quarterback Bo Nix.
Nix missed his 1st game in 2 years — 37 consecutive starts — after he broke his ankle on the final drive of Denver’s overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round.
Longtime backup Jarrett Stidham found himself starting in Nix’s place in his first real game action in 2 years. Stidham struggled playing through a snowstorm in the 2nd half and his turnover deep in Denver territory set up New England’s only touchdown.
“In the absence of full detail regarding Nix’s ankle fracture, it is hard to provide specifics about his precise treatment and recovery,” ESPN’s Stephania Bell wrote. “However, Payton saying postgame that Nix will undergo surgery indicates the fracture is unstable and requires implantation of hardware to stabilize it and ensure the bones are in proper alignment. The fact that they could report this immediately after the game indicates the fracture was clearly visible on X-ray without requiring additional imaging. Healing from an ankle fracture repair is approximately 10 to 12 weeks, but restoring full joint range of motion, strength and dynamic function takes approximately three to four months. Given the timeline before training camp resumes, Nix will likely be on track to start the 2026 regular season, assuming no complications.”
Biggest Questions for Broncos on Defense
The Broncos have had arguably the NFL’s best defense over the past 2 seasons led by a pair of NFL All-Pro talents in the front 7 with defensive end Zach Allen and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto along with the NFL’s premiere cornerback in 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t some areas for the Broncos to improve.
Most notably, the Broncos might want to look at making some improvements at inside linebacker, where they paid big money in free agency for Dre Greenlaw before the 2025 season with a 3-year, $31.5 million contract.
Greenlaw missed 9 regular season games due to injury or suspension and Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine put him at the top of the list of possible salary cap casualties for the Broncos.
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