The Denver Broncos‘ 2024 season has been a roller coaster. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and the Broncos were knocked out of the playoffs in the Wild Card round versus the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. However, there has been a lot of good to take from the season. Let’s take a look back at some of the best and worst moments and players from the 2024 campaign.
Stud: QB Bo Nix
Tops on any list from the 2024 season has been the emergence of rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
Nix, selected 12th overall in April’s NFL draft, was thought by some to be a successful college quarterback that couldn’t make it in the NFL. And for the first two weeks of 2024, it looked as if it was going to be a long season. Then, Nix started to really figure out head coach Sean Payton’s offense. As the two clicked and clashed, the Broncos had successes of their own. During the season, Nix developed into one of the best rookie passers from the draft, and is garnering serious Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration. Nix finished the year with 30 passing touchdowns, four rushing scores and a receiving touchdown, throwing for over 3,800 yards (including the playoffs) and 12 interceptions.
Nix’s quote from his post-game presser against the Bills will tell you all you need to know: “The simple answer is we didn’t win the Super Bowl, so there’s a lot to learn from and a lot to grow from. … I don’t want to be complacent and satisfied and happy with something that looks good on the outside.”
The Broncos have finally found their man.
Dud: CB Levi Wallace
One of Denver’s notable free agent signings in 2024 was cornerback Levi Wallace. Wallace was a candidate to take the side opposite of cornerback Pat Surtain, but he was beat out by second-year corner Riley Moss for that spot. In relief of Moss, Wallace had a miserable performance against the Cleveland Browns. After that, Wallace was an inactive for two games before being released by the Broncos. Wallace was offered a spot on the practice squad, but ultimately, he declined.
Stud: WR Marvin Mims
After 2023, it looked like Marvin Mims was just going to be a draft bust that couldn’t make it as a receiver, despite his overwhelming talent. In 2024, Mims broke out in a huge way. Mims had 39 receptions off 52 targets, with 503 yards receiving, and six touchdowns, with a team-long 93-yard touchdown reception against the Browns. Mims has turned into a Swiss-Army knife that can rush, catch and return kicks, earning his second Pro Bowl appearance in as many years.
Dud: Winning against good teams
The Broncos were one of the best in the NFL at beating below-average teams. But against teams above .500, the Broncos faltered. They were only 2-6 against teams with a winning record, the wins coming against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the second-stringers of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos will need to get significantly better in the coming seasons to beat the best of the best in the NFL.
Stud: WR Courtland Sutton
Courtland Sutton proved his value once again as the Broncos’ number one receiver, and the most reliable target for the Broncos. Sutton had 1,081 yards, eight touchdowns and 81 receptions. Sutton even had a passing touchdown to Bo Nix against the Baltimore Ravens. Sutton has been the veteran voice and the rock for Nix in hard-to-gain situations. He will be one of the best voices and veteran presences for the team going forward.
Stud: OLB Nik Bonitto
Bonitto was the biggest breakout star on the Broncos defense in 2024. He was a wrecking crew on the outside, terrorizing quarterbacks in the pocket. Bonitto finished the year with 13.5 sacks, 48 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception. Bonitto had two defensive touchdowns in the span of two weeks, a 71-yard interception return and 50-yard fumble recovery. Bonitto finished the year a strong contender for Defensive Player of the Year.
Stud: CB Pat Surtain
Surtain is the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. He was constantly matched up against opponent’s top receiver, limiting some of the biggest targets in the league to few targets and minimal yards. Surtain has solidified himself as the best cornerback in the NFL, and is extremely reminiscent of Hall of Famer Champ Bailey.
Stud: DC Vance Joseph
After releasing All-Pro safety Justin Simmons, the Broncos defense was projected to struggle immensely. Instead, the unit placed at the top of the NFL for sacks and in the top 10 of nearly every other major statistical category for defense. Joseph’s defense was stingy, at least for most of the season. The weaknesses the unit showed in 2024 can likely be fixed with personnel improvements in 2025.
Stud: GM George Paton
With the single-largest dead-money cap in NFL history, Paton and head coach Sean Payton negotiated a significant culture change, drafted an extremely talented rookie class with the foundation being quarterback Bo Nix, and re-signed players like Quinn Meinerz, Nik Bonitto, Garett Bolles, Jonathon Cooper and Pat Surtain. It was a masterclass in playing the long game. While there is certainly some blame to be laid at his feet for the Russell Wilson deal, Paton and Payton have made the best of what could have a catastrophic situation.
Mile High Magic is back!
The Broncos’ season may have ended, but there is no question they are once again in the playoff contender mix. They were able to win close games, find a franchise quarterback and have a winning record for the first time since 2015, and get back to the playoffs for the first time since they won a Super Bowl.
Mile High Magic is alive, and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic for the future.
