The Denver Broncos crashed out of the NFL playoffs with a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon, ending their postseason run in the first round. With the season now wrapped up, here’s a quick look at ten takeaways from 2024.
1. Javonte Williams is probably done in Denver
Williams, who will turn 25 in April, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. After rushing 217 times for 774 yards last season, Williams saw his carries drop to 139 in his second year under coach Sean Payton. His 3.7 yards per carry average was only slightly better than last season (3.6), and Payton seemed to prefer Jaleel McLaughlin down the stretch. Williams is a good blocker, but it’s hard to imagine the Broncos re-signing him this offseason. Payton will likely want to add a dynamic running back to the backfield in 2025.
2. Pat Surtain should win Defensive Player of the Year
Surtain had a brilliant season, allowing a league-low 306 passing yards among qualified cornerbacks. PS2 also grabbed four interceptions, including a 100-yard pick-six. After earning first-team All-Pro honors, Surtain seems like a near-lock to win the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award. Pass rusher Nik Bonitto also turned in a brilliant season with 13.5 sacks and a pair of defensive touchdowns.
3. Denver found a perfect role for Marvin Mims
Mims made the Pro Bowl as a returner in his rookie season, but he was barely utilized on offense. That changed this year as Payton found creative ways to get Mims involved, including reps at running back. Mims ended the year with 39 receptions for 503 yards and six touchdowns plus 13 carries for 42 yards. He also made the Pro Bowl again after leading the NFL with 15.7 yards per punt return in 2024. Mims is an all-around weapon for Denver.
93 YARDS TO THE 🏡!!!!!!!!!!@marvindmims | 📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/DbkJnOqy7j
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 3, 2024
4. Zach Allen was a huge Pro Bowls snub
Allen had a career year with with 75 pressures, 61 tackles, 40 quarterback hits, 8.5 sacks, one pass breakup and one safety in 16 games. Allen only being a fourth alternate for the Pro Bowl was an absurd snub, demonstrated by the Associated Press naming him a second-team All-Pro.
5. Courtland Sutton was great, but the Broncos need more at WR
Sutton posted career highs in receptions (81) and receiving touchdowns (eight) this year, and his 1,081 yards were just 31 shy of his career high. It was a strong year for the team’s No. 1 receiver, but Denver needs to add more playmakers at the position in 2025. Too many receivers (Sutton included) dropped passes this season, and Mims was the only WR on the team who was a big-play threat every time he touched the ball. Whether it’s through free agency or the draft (or both), the Broncos need to upgrade the position.
6. Vance Joseph had a strong season overall
There were, of course, bumps in the road, and the unit did not end the season on a strong note, but Joseph’s defense had a good year overall. The Broncos’ defense ended up ranked eighth in takeaways (25), seventh in yards allowed per game (317.1), third in points allowed (18.3) and first in sacks (63), posting a new franchise record. Joseph is now a head coach candidate, but it remains to be seen if he’ll land a promotion in 2025. Fans who look at the season-long picture will appreciate the job Joseph did, especially considering…
7. Denver needs to upgrade linebacker and safety
P.J. Locke is a quality nickelback and a very good No. 3 safety, but he was often a weak link in coverage as a starter during the 2024 season. The Broncos need to add a starting-caliber safety to play across from Brandon Jones in 2025. Denver also needs to add at least one starting inside linebacker, preferably one that excels in coverage. Cody Barton and Justin Strnad are both scheduled to become free agents and Alex Singleton will be coming off ACL surgery in 2025. Joseph needs better personnel, especially at LB and S.
8. Bo Nix had one of the best rookie seasons ever
Nix struggled early in the season before taking huge strides. He ended the year with 29 passing touchdowns, second-most among rookies in NFL history. Nix broke all of Denver’s major rookie passing records and his seven games with multiple touchdowns and no turnovers are an NFL rookie record. Nix is also the first rookie QB to ever post multiple games with 300 passing yards, four touchdowns and a passer rating above 140. Additionally, Nix made plenty of plays on the ground, finishing third on the team with 430 rushing yards while tied for first with four rushing scores (and he caught a TD pass this year, too). Nix had his share of rookie growing pains, but it’s clear that the Broncos have found their guy at quarterback.
9. Sean Payton did more with less
Going into the season, the Broncos had an over/under win total of 5.5, and their roster was ranked dead last in the NFL. Denver was also hindered by a $53 million dead money salary cap hit after releasing QB Russell Wilson. Despite those obstacles, Payton went 10-7 and made the NFL playoffs with a rookie quarterback under center. It certainly wasn’t a perfect season — and Payton wasn’t without blame for some of the losses — but it was a huge step in the right direction. Payton snapped the team’s eight-year losing streak and nine-year playoff drought in Year 2. Now with a full selection of draft picks and a lot more salary cap space, it’s fair to expect the Broncos to take another step forward under Payton in 2025.
10. The Broncos are trending up
Despite being a young team, Denver produced five All-Pros, three Pro Bowlers and a whopping eight Pro Bowl alternates in 2024. The Broncos gave extensions to guard Quinn Meinerz, cornerback Pat Surtain, outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper and left tackle Garett Bolles in 2024, setting Nix up for success going forward. Nix still has three seasons left on his rookie contract, plus a fifth-year option for the 2028 season. With an impressive young core of players and a promising QB on a rookie contract, Denver has a legitimate chance to make noise sooner than later. The future looks bright in Denver.
