After falling one win short of the Super Bowl, the Denver Broncos officially turned the page Monday, with general manager George Paton outlining an offseason approach.
“We’ll be aggressive in filling these needs,” Paton said. “We just need to get better than we were.”
As DNVR’s Zac Stevens noted, Paton’s end of season press conference made it very clear that Denver has no intention of standing still after a breakout 2025 campaign.
With Russell Wilson’s dead cap finally off the books and Bo Nix still on a rookie deal, the Broncos enter a pivotal window.
Paton and head coach Sean Payton appear determined to maximize the window.
While Paton expressed confidence in Denver’s young offensive core, he was equally transparent about the need to add reinforcements:
“I like our young players. I like our young receivers,” Paton said.
“But we’re always looking to add. Always looking to improve at every position.”
That mindset includes the running back room as well, where injuries and inconsistency surfaced late in the year.
League-wide reporting and recent analysis suggest Denver could be active both in free agency and the draft, particularly at the offensive skill positions.
Paton also believes Denver’s broader situation will make the Broncos an appealing destination for free agents:
“I think players will want to come here for a number of reasons,” he said.
“No. 1 is ownership, the quarterback makes a big difference, and the fan base in Denver. People love it here.”
Where the Broncos Can Improve This Offseason
As Predominantly Orange noted, offensively, the blueprint is clear, according to Paton.
Denver needs more reliable playmakers at wide receiver, tight end, and running back through free agency, the draft, or a potential trade.
Paton acknowledged the team has “cap room” and “all sorts of flexibility,” opening the door for meaningful additions.
Defensively, the foundation remains strong, but Paton highlighted internal development as well.
He praised Jahdae Barron’s versatility after his rookie season, noting he “played nickel, dime, and a little corner,” adding that Barron was drafted into “arguably the deepest secondary.”
Paton also delivered his strongest endorsement when discussing edge rusher Que Robinson.
“He may have the most upside in our draft class,” Paton said. “Has all the traits.”
It seems like Paton’s offseason plan focuses on the offensive side of the ball more than the defense.
Paton’s Confidence in Bo Nix and Window Ahead
In Paton’s end of season press conference this morning, he expressed major confidence in his quarterback.
“You evaluate a quarterback with how much he wins,” he said. “There’s no quarterback in Year 2 that’s won more than Bo.”
Paton added that when games were on the line, “you knew Bo was going to win it.”
He even said that his presence and mindset have the “it factor.”
With Nix expected to be fully healthy by spring and financial restrictions finally gone due to Russell Wilson’s contract, Paton emphasized that he will be aggressive this offseason.
“We’re always going to push it,” he said. “We’re going to be aggressive.”
Overall, the tone of the Paton’s press conference was very encouraging.
He, along with much of the fan base, believes what the team accomplished this season was remarkable.
The Broncos were incredibly close. With a healthy Bo Nix or a few different decisions, they may have been headed to the Super Bowl.
Now, the challenge is building on that success.
Denver has to capitalize on this momentum and maximize a window that doesn’t stay open for long in the NFL.
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