Denver’s front office has imperative adjustments to implement during the offseason, specifically to the roster to drastically enhance productivity on offense. Not even a few days after the Patriots eliminated the Broncos from the AFC Championship, Sean Payton began cleaning house immediately.
Offensive Coordinator, Joe Lombardi. Gone.
Someone was liable to get shafted for the inconsistency with the play calling. There were numerous times; the entire city of Denver and Broncos Country questioned certain critical plays. Especially on several 4th and 1 conversions. Lombardi wasn’t the only one calling the plays. Sean Payton played his part and should be held accountable also.
- Former Offensive Coordinator, Joe Lombardi made a comment regarding his termination:
“Sean decided to move on and I guess that’s all there is to say… I think he was in one of those moods where he felt like some changes needed to be made, and I guess he decided that I was one of them was me… I’ve been around him long enough to kind of read the tea leaves… I don’t know why there needs to be a scapegoat. I thought it was a good season.”
- – Former Offensive Coordinator, Joe Lombardi
Lombardi getting the boot as quickly as he did, wasn’t on the Bingo card, especially after spending three seasons as the Offensive Coordinator alongside Coach Payton. We can only wonder if Lombardi would have been able to retain his job if Nix didn’t get hurt.
But wait… There’s more.
Keary Colbert, Denver’s Wide Receivers Coach, was let go on the same day. Cleary, this needed to happen after watching Denver’s WRs drop an inexcusable number of passes.
We all saw it. ESPN saw it. The fans witnessed it.
Everyone. Noticed. Everything.
Bo Nix finished the season with 4,595 yards, 33 TDs, 12 INTs, and a 15-3 record. Mind you, he put up these numbers with one of the worst WR cores in the NFL.
At one point, Denver was 2nd in the league for dropped passes. Nix delivered bullets right in the numbers to WRs that were wide open. Precision passes that were placed perfectly, short- and long-range rockets that were dropped. Someone has got to go, and it isn’t going to be Bo.
An addition to the mass firings…
Cornerbacks Coach, Addison Lynch also got canned. This firing didn’t make much sense, but maybe Sean Payton was seeing the lack of development with the CBs during the practices that those on the outside looking in couldn’t see. Now Denver has three important positions to fill with the coaching staff.
Management has a hefty workload this summer with the number of Free Agents that are now currently on the market this offseason.
42 contracts to revisit, an estimated cap space of roughly $35 million, and 9 drafts picks to work with.
2025-26 Post-Season Free Agents:
Quarterbacks: Sam Ehlinger
Running Backs: J.K. Dobbins, Jaleel McLaughlin (Restricted FA), Tyler Badie (Exclusive Rights)
Fullbacks: Michael Burton, Adam Prentice
Tight Ends: Nate Atkins (Restricted FA), Adam Trautman, Lucas Krull (Restricted FA)
Wide Receiver: Jordan Humphrey
Offensive Lineman: Sam Mustipher, Alex Palczewski (Restricted FA)
Defensive Linemen: John Franklin-Myers, Jordan Jackson (Exclusive Rights), Matt Henningsen (Restricted FA)
Inside Linebacker: Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad
Outside Linebacker: Dondrea Tillman (Exclusive Rights)
Defensive Back: Ja’Quan McMillian (Restricted FA), Delarrin Turner-Yell
Safeties: P.J. Locke, Devon Key (Exclusive Rights)
The top priorities for Denver would be to go on the hunt for a Tight End that isn’t afraid to catch in coverage, an immensely larger downhill RB, and a true #1 Wide Receiver to support Bo Nix. Offensively, the Broncos are in need of a massive upgrade to level out with the defense. Signing Marvin Mims Jr. to an extension as a dedicated Slot Receiver and bringing in a true #1 Wide Receiver (A.J. Brown, who is on his way out of Philly) next to Courtland Sutton, would evolve Nix’s passing game drastically.
There have been rumors circulating that the Denver Broncos are considering bringing in A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. Essentially Denver would be willing to trade their 2026 3rd-Round pick (#94 overall), and the 2026 5th-round pick (#168 overall) straight across for A.J. Brown. Not a bad idea.
Eight-Time Pro-Prow WR, Tyreek “The fastest man in the NFL” Hill (32 in March) was just released from the Miami Dolphins and was also mentioned as a possible target currently on Denver’s FA radar. Hill has been on “tour”, rostered on multiple teams, including the Broncos rival, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Hill ended last season on IR with a dislocated knee and torn ligaments including his ACL. So, depending on whether his routes are still crispy and his speed is lethal, the Broncos recruiting staff might want to put Hill on the back burner until further notice.
Overall, the future for the Denver Broncos is promising. Broncos Defensive Coordinator, Vance Joseph turned down several head coaching jobs to stay put and continue his success leading the defense.
Sean Payton can shift some pieces around now that Denver is able to move on from Russell Wilson’s ridiculous $85 million cap hit. And the best Offensive Line in football can only elevate and improve.
Garret Bolles is comfortable in the trajectory for the future of the Denver Broncos and had a few words for the press when asked about it.
- – Pro Bowl Offensive Lineman, Garrett Bolles on Denver’s potential for next season.
“People want to come to Denver. I would be shocked to see how many free agents want to come here. We have a young team, we have a quarterback, we’ve got the best O-line in football. I don’t care what anyone says if we do, that’s just the reality. Numbers don’t lie; stats don’t
- – Pro Bowl Offensive Lineman, Garrett Bolles
Greatness is on the horizon for the Denver Broncos with unlimited potential if the right moves are made during the offseason. George Paton and Sean Payton, the two masterminds behind the personnel, only need time and money.
Denver has the money.
And the time is now.
Dante Robinson | Senior NFL Analyst for The NSR Network
