The Denver Broncos have returned to their mediocre form, reminiscent of the franchise Homer Simpson would settle for after helping Hank Scorpio take over the eastern seaboard.

Denver has struggled to make the postseason since their Super Bowl 50 win in Peyton Manning’s farewell season. The main issue has been the quarterback position, unable to develop talent or make use of proven veterans in recent years.

Manning had success with the team, even though his final Super Bowl victory came in a diminished state. However, subsequent veterans like Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater, Joe Flacco, and especially Russell Wilson, failed to lead the team to a winning record. Draft picks like Paxton Lynch and Drew Lock also did not pan out.

Heading into the 2024 season, the Broncos have their highest drafted quarterback since Jay Cutler in 2006. They will have a veteran mentor for the rookie, but relying on players like Bo Nix or Jarrett Stidham to lift them from the AFC West basement seems unlikely.

The 2024 Broncos face challenges

The Broncos anticipated a tough 2024 season after parting ways with Russell Wilson and carrying a significant portion of his salary on their books. Despite some young talent on rookie deals, the team made tough decisions to clear cap space, leaving them with a roster in need of improvement.

Even with a potential top five draft pick in 2025 and the 12th overall pick in 2024, the Broncos opted for a quarterback in the 2024 draft class rather than waiting for next year.

Nix, the sixth quarterback drafted, has a strong college resume but may struggle against tougher NFL defenses. The expectation is for him to take over the reins or be backed up by Stidham, who has experience but limited success as a starting quarterback.

Maximizing Nix’s potential

If anyone can bring out the best in Nix, it’s head coach Sean Payton. Payton’s track record with quarterbacks like Drew Brees shows his ability to maximize their strengths. Nix’s accuracy and short-range passing ability could be key for the Broncos’ success.

While success with a rookie quarterback and a rebuilding defense will be challenging, Payton’s history suggests he can make the most of the situation. Failure in 2024 may not heavily impact his legacy, but the Broncos will be left questioning their investment in the head coach.