State of the Denver Broncos: Sean Payton-Bo Nix pairing poised to alleviate long Super Bowl hangover?

Where does your squad stand ahead of the 2024 NFL season? Adam Rank sets the table by providing a State of the Franchise look at all 32 teams, zeroing in on the new faces to know, one significant fantasy spin and the stakes at play in the campaign to come.

Members of the Broncos organization, Broncos fans around the world and those who wish Denver would permanently go back to the Orange Crush uniforms with the royal blue helmets …

Yes, I know we’re going to get another taste of those delicious duds. And yes, I typically understand those folks who prefer moderation when it comes to throwbacks. But that was one of the best looks in league history, so why not lock it back in as the standard outfit? Sorry, you didn’t come here for uniform talk. Well, maybe some of you did, but it’s time to focus on this team’s outlook in 2024. Russell Wilson is gone. Jerry Jeudy, too. Change can be good, though. How good? Let’s take a look.

2024 brain trust

Roster reshuffling

Below is a rundown of the Broncos’ most notable roster developments for the 2024 season, including this year’s draft class, as well as key acquisitions and departures via free agency and trade.

New faces to know

State of the QB room

A fourth-round pick of the Patriots in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jarrett Stidham has flashed promise in his 16 career appearances, including four starts over the past two seasons. In fact, he’s shown me more than former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson, who arrived in Denver this offseason via trade. But let’s be honest: The Broncos didn’t just spend the No. 12 overall pick on Bo Nix to have the rookie watch from the sideline. I’ll be shocked if Nix isn’t the starter in Week 1, especially considering he enters the NFL at age 24 with an NCAA-record 61 college starts under his belt. Having also just set the NCAA’s single-season record for completion percentage at 77.4, the Oregon/Auburn product should be ready to rock. He has the proper mental makeup and quick release to be successful in Sean Payton’s offense. It feels like the Broncos head coach views him as a taller Drew Brees. I know Nix was the sixth quarterback off the board in April’s draft — I don’t care. I anticipate him surprising doubters under the watchful eye of Payton.

Most important non-QB

My HOTTEST Broncos fantasy take:

Don’t sleep on rookie RB Audric Estimé.

Keep an eye on the bruising back out of Notre Dame. The fifth-round pick had a minor knee scope earlier this offseason and still faces a crowded backfield that includes Javonte Williams (whose young career has been waylaid by injuries), Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin. But Estimé is worth monitoring in training camp. I’m likely to take a late-round flier on him. This is the kind of RB to stash in deeper leagues.

2024 roadmap

Three key dates:

• Week 1: at Seattle Seahawks. Remember a couple years ago, when Denver opened the season with a Russell Wilson REVENGE GAME in Seattle? Yeah, that didn’t exactly go as planned, with Russ’ Broncos losing to Geno Smith’s Jets. Won’t happen to Bo Nix during the former Oregon Duck’s return to the Pacific Northwest.
• Week 7 (Thursday): at New Orleans Saints. The Sean Payton REVENGE GAME. Although I’m not sure who is mad at whom in this one.
• Week 18: vs. Kansas City Chiefs. After a Week 14 bye, the Broncos close out the regular season with games against the Colts, Chargers, Bengals and Chiefs. Not sure if Denver will still be in the playoff race for this closing stretch, but those are some tough teams — and the Bolts.

For 2024 to be a success, the Broncos MUST:

A) Win the Super Bowl
B) Make a playoff run
C) Earn a playoff berth
D) Finish above .500
E) Show progress

My answer: E) Show progress. I hate to say this, because Denver is a great sports town with awesome fans, but all you really need from this season is to figure out if Bo Nix can play ball at this level. If he comes in and enjoys a rookie season akin to that of, say, Justin Herbert, then you know you’re money. Maybe Nix doesn’t hit that level in Year 1, but his encouraging highs comfortably exceed the growing pains. That’ll play. Frankly, if Bo and the Broncos have one of those seasons where they score points and routinely compete, but still end up with a pretty high draft slot … That’s not bad. Don’t forget: Denver hasn’t made the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl in the 2015 campaign and hasn’t posted a winning record since going 9-7 in 2016. Since Peyton Manning’s retirement following the Lombardi triumph, the Broncos have cycled through 12 starting quarterbacks — only the Browns (15), Commanders (13) and Jets (13) have had more in that time period. It’s been a rough stretch. But I also have a strange feeling that, in Year 2 of the Payton era, Denver could be sneaky good.