Broncos fans, buckle up. If you’re anything like me, this season was like a three-month-long episode of your favorite drama—complete with plot twists, emotional breakdowns, and the occasional moment of sheer brilliance that made you think, “Maybe… just maybe?” Sure, it ended in heartbreak (31-7 against the Bills, ouch), but 2024 gave us plenty to chew on.
Let’s break down the 10 highs, lows, and head-scratching surprises from Denver’s wild ride.
1. Javonte Williams: The Beginning of the End?
I hate to say it, but this might be the final chapter of Williams’ time in Denver. After a solid rookie campaign, his numbers dipped faster than my fantasy team in Week 3. And Sean Payton? He seems to be leaning heavily on Jaleel McLaughlin, especially in crunch time. With free agency looming, it’s hard to imagine Williams back in orange and blue.
2. Pat Surtain for DPOY. No, Seriously.
How does this guy only allow 306 passing yards all year? HOW?! Surtain’s numbers aren’t just good—they’re Madden-on-rookie-mode good. Throw in four picks, a 100-yard pick-six, and All-Pro honors, and the man’s basically already holding the Defensive Player of the Year trophy.
Nik Bonitto also deserves a shoutout—13.5 sacks and two defensive TDs? Someone give him a high-five. Or ten.
3. Marvin Mims: The Swiss Army Knife We Didn’t Know We Needed
I’ll admit it—I thought Mims was just gonna be that rookie returner everyone forgets about after a season or two. Instead, he turned into Denver’s secret weapon. Running back? Sure. Punt returns? Yup. Six receiving TDs and a Pro Bowl nod? Why not. Payton finally figured out how to use this guy, and it was beautiful.
4. Zach Allen Got ROBBED
75 pressures. 61 tackles. 8.5 sacks. One safety. And the dude was only a fourth alternate for the Pro Bowl?! Are we serious right now? At least the Associated Press came through with second-team All-Pro honors. Justice, but barely.
5. Courtland Sutton Shines, But the WR Room Needs Help
Sutton balled out this year—career highs in catches and TDs, over 1,000 yards—but let’s be real: the Broncos’ receiving corps is thinner than gas station coffee. Too many drops, not enough big plays. If Denver wants to keep pace in 2025, they’ll need to hit free agency or the draft hard.
6. Vance Joseph: From Question Mark to Exclamation Point
Remember when the defense gave up 70 points last year? Yeah, me too. This season? Denver’s D ranked first in sacks (63!) and third in points allowed. Joseph’s squad even set a franchise record for sacks in a season. Sure, they had their hiccups (looking at you, Buffalo game), but overall? Chef’s kiss.
7. Linebackers and Safeties Need a Serious Glow-Up
P.J. Locke? Solid as a backup, not so much as a starter. And with Cody Barton and Justin Strnad heading to free agency, plus Alex Singleton recovering from ACL surgery, Denver’s defense needs reinforcements—stat. Get Brandon Jones a partner in crime back there.
8. Bo Nix: Rookie QB of the Year?
Okay, maybe not officially, but Bo Nix balled out in his first year. After a shaky start, he turned things around, breaking rookie records left and right. 29 passing TDs, 430 rushing yards, and even a touchdown catch—this kid did it all. Denver might finally have its QB of the future. (Knocking on wood so hard right now.)
9. Sean Payton: Turning Lemons Into Playoff Lemonade
Let’s not forget the Broncos entered this season with a $53 million dead cap hit after cutting Russ. Expectations? Practically underground. But Payton went 10-7 with a rookie QB and snapped an eight-year losing streak. Sure, he had his “what were you thinking?!” moments, but the dude deserves credit.
10. The Future Looks Bright (No, Really)
Five All-Pros. Three Pro Bowlers. A young core locked up for the long haul. And a rookie QB with serious upside on a cheap contract. This team is set up to make noise—like, actual “AFC contender” noise—in the next few years. Am I being overly optimistic? Probably. But I’d rather go all-in on hope than spend another offseason drowning in misery.
Phew. That’s the season in a nutshell, folks. Some heartbreak, some hope, and a whole lot of potential. The Broncos may not have gone all the way this year, but 2025? Mark my words: it’s gonna be a whole new ball game.
