What's next for the Broncos after Bo Nix jump-started their latest rebuild?

The Denver Broncos broke a postseason slump in 2024. That didn’t manifest in a playoff win, but it’s tough not to be excited about the team’s future.

Head coach Sean Payton took a calculated risk this fall, eating $75 million in salary commitments just to ensure Russell Wilson never played for his team again. In his stead came Bo Nix, the sixth quarterback selected at the 2024 NFL Draft, to take over an eight-win team that hadn’t been to the playoffs in nine years.

It worked. Nix exceeded expectations. A frustrating defense played up to its potential. Denver won 10 games and made it to the postseason for the first time since Peyton Manning was playing on Sundays and not just participating in every third ad.

This promising season skidded to a halt after a 7-0 lead became a 31-7 wild card loss to the Buffalo Bills. So what comes next for the Broncos? Let’s look at what they’ve got — and what they need.