From a big-picture perspective, the Denver Broncos can't be much more pleased with how things unfolded in 2024.
While Sean Payton failed to lead Denver to the playoffs in his first season as head coach, he achieved that goal in Year 2. Along the way, Denver found its quarterback in rookie Bo Nix, forged a top-10 defense and found some young playmakers like Marvin Mims Jr. and Nick Bonitto.
While the Kansas City Chiefs remain the team to beat in the AFC West, Denver has arrived as a divisional factor. Now that its postseason has ended, however, Payton and general manager George Paton face the challenge of building on what the franchise accomplished in its breakthrough season.