Sean Payton’s Denver Redemption Tour: How the Broncos Went from Laughingstock to Legit Contender
If you’d asked a Broncos fan back in 2022 if they saw a ten-win season on the horizon, they’d probably have laughed—or cried. But fast forward to 2024, and the Denver Broncos look like a whole new team. And no, it’s not some miracle or a sudden stroke of luck—it’s all thanks to one guy: Sean Payton.
When the Broncos lured Payton out of semi-retirement to clean up the mess left by the Nathaniel Hackett experiment, expectations were sky-high. And let’s be real—things were bad before Payton showed up. Denver wasn’t just underperforming; the entire culture around the team was crumbling. Morale was low, quarterback drama was high, and the fan base was beyond frustrated.
From One-Win Misery to a Mid-Season Surge
Let’s talk about 2023 for a second. The season started with a soul-crushing 1-5 record, and it seemed like Payton might be another swing and miss. But then something changed. Behind a defense that refused to quit and a locker room slowly buying into the Payton way, the Broncos turned it around. They clawed their way back, winning seven of their final 11 games. It wasn’t pretty, but it showed grit, heart, and a coach who refused to let his team fold.
And the biggest move of all? Saying goodbye to Russell Wilson.
Yeah, that one stung. But it was time. Wilson just didn’t vibe with Payton’s system, and his body language said it all—he wasn’t happy. So Denver pulled the trigger and moved on. That paved the way for a bold, refreshing new chapter.
Enter Bo Nix: The Franchise Reset Button
Cue the 2024 NFL Draft, where the Broncos took a calculated risk on quarterback Bo Nix. And wow, did that gamble pay off.
While critics scratched their heads over the pick, Payton clearly saw something in Nix. That "something" turned out to be the exact kind of quarterback Denver needed—a smart decision-maker with leadership instincts and a calm, unshakable demeanor. His turnover-worthy play rate? A jaw-dropping 1.8%. In other words, this guy protects the ball and doesn’t shoot himself—or his team—in the foot.
And with a still-stout defense backing him up, the Broncos weren’t just back—they were dangerous.
🔥 Key Stat: Bo Nix had one of the lowest turnover-worthy play rates in the league at 1.8%, a major reason the Broncos didn’t beat themselves in 2024.
A Ten-Win Statement Season
The 2024 campaign wasn’t a fluke. Denver racked up ten wins, falling only twice by more than a single score—both times to AFC heavyweights Baltimore and Buffalo. That’s right, the Broncos went toe-to-toe with some of the league's best and held their own.
For the first time in what felt like ages, fans in the Mile High City had a team they could believe in again.
The momentum isn’t slowing down either. Denver has added even more talent this offseason, reinforcing both sides of the ball. Payton's vision is becoming clearer with every transaction—build a team that’s smart, tough, and consistent.
Climbing the Coaching Ranks
That kind of turnaround doesn’t go unnoticed.
Pro Football Focus’ Dallas Wasserman recently dropped his ranking of the best returning coaches heading into the 2025 NFL season, and guess who came in at No. 2? Yep—Sean Payton. Only Andy Reid of the Chiefs outranked him, which makes total sense given Reid’s Super Bowl pedigree.
Meanwhile, Nick Sirianni of the Eagles—who was riding high just a year ago—landed all the way down at No. 8. That tells you just how much respect Payton has earned in such a short span in Denver.
🏆 Coaching Ranks 2025 (PFF):
Andy Reid (Chiefs)
Sean Payton (Broncos)
Nick Sirianni (Eagles)
Wasserman summed it up best:
“Payton inherited a disaster in Denver in 2023... After a 1-5 start, Payton rallied the team behind a strong defense... Payton and Nix turned out to be a match made in heaven.”
Now that’s a turnaround story.
Culture Shift: From Chaos to Confidence
It’s not just about wins and stats, though. Payton brought a new culture to Denver. Accountability is back. Players are responding. The organization finally feels like it has a steady hand at the wheel.
When Payton arrived, he promised to “right the ship.” A lot of coaches make that promise. Few actually deliver. Payton? He walked the talk.
His blueprint is clear:
-
Strong defense first
-
Smart, efficient quarterback play
-
No self-inflicted wounds
-
Toughness in crunch time
That formula worked in New Orleans, and it’s working again in Denver.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next in 2025?
So now the big question—can the Broncos make that next leap?
A ten-win season is great, but fans are hungry for more. A playoff berth is now the bare minimum. Could this team push into AFC Championship territory? Or maybe even flirt with a Super Bowl run?
It’s possible. With Payton calling the shots and Bo Nix maturing by the day, the Broncos have the foundation. They’ve got the defense, the coaching, the quarterback—and maybe most importantly, the belief.
We’ll get our answers starting in September. But one thing’s for sure—this isn’t the same old Broncos. This team is built to fight, and Sean Payton’s got them believing again.
🔑 Quick Recap for the Casual Fan:
-
Sean Payton ranked #2 best returning coach by PFF
-
Broncos went from 1-5 to 10-7 in just over a season
-
Rookie QB Bo Nix is a breakout star in the making
-
Denver’s defense remains elite
-
The culture shift is real—this team plays smart, tough football
-
Playoffs? Absolutely. Super Bowl run? Don’t count them out.
Login