Denver, CO

The path back to relevancy for the Denver Broncos might be a long one

Published

2 years ago

February 8, 2024

The path back to relevancy for the Denver Broncos might be a long one

Good morning, Broncos Country.

Over the past two weeks, the staff at Mile High Report covered the major position groups in our State of the Broncos series. We reflected on last season and pontificated about what the future may hold with respect to all of them.

And after going over each review one line of thought seems to be constant and resonates above all others—the Denver Broncos have a lot to do in order to reforge themselves into legitimate contenders.

Very few position groups have a surplus of quality talent. In my opinion, most all of them are in desperate need of a complete makeover and overhaul. Most importantly, the Broncos lack a franchise caliber player at the quarterback position. And as I’ve wrote over the season numerous times, if you don’t have a quarterback in this league—you really don’t have anything.

Lacking picks in their draft arsenal, a dubious cap situation, and the reality of the Broncos having to get rid of quality players just to be cap compliant—it’s hard to imagine Denver will be able to acquire enough talent this offseason to be a formidable contender in 2024. With that in mind, it’s reasonable not to expect a huge turnaround for the team next season or much improvement compared to this last season.

In fact, I think the Broncos’ path to relevancy is a multi-year endeavor. I give Sean Payton and his coaching staff a lot of credit to getting this team to eight wins last year. However, I’m not so certain they will be much better next year if some major improvements aren’t made. And the number one improvement to be made is quite obvious.

It’s no secret, the preferred selection for most folks across Broncos Country at #12 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft would be a quarterback. But will there be one Payton and his staff covet that is worth rolling the dice on? That remains to be seen.

I’ve went on record stating I’d be just fine with Michigan standout J.J. McCarthy if Denver isn’t able to secure Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels. Your mileage may vary, but I think he is a great fit for Payton’s offense and has the traits and football intelligence to make a big impression for evaluators in the Mile High City. On the flip side, I’m not a fan of using that selection on Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. In a trade down? Certainly. Perhaps the decisions makers in Dove Valley feel differently. Only time will tell.

If they don’t take a quarterback at #12, the best move they could make would be to trade back and acquire more draft picks to patch holes in a proverbial ship that is struggling to stay afloat. Getting back a second rounder would be tremendous, but that would require a large move back and a team falling in love with someone to move up that high.

Nevertheless, that happens every draft. So, the Broncos may get lucky and get a nice bounty of picks from a playoff caliber team who feels they are only a piece or two away from completing a championship caliber roster. That would be a dream come true.

The dichotomy at play here is George Paton’s philosophy, which is acquiring as many picks as possible versus Payton’s, which history has shown he isn’t afraid of being aggressive in the draft to get his guys. It will be interesting to see how that plays out and whose voice ends up being heard when the rubber meets the road.

As eager as we all are to see the Broncos be competitive again, eight years after their Super Bowl 50 victory, a little bit more patience might need to be exercised before that transpires. What do you think, Broncos Country? Can the Broncos make enough moves this offseason to propel themselves into legitimate competitors in 2024? Sound off in the comments section and let me know what you think!

As always—thanks for reading. Here is today’s offering of articles and media for Horse Tracks.

Broncos News & Tidbits

Mile High Morning: Peyton Manning, John Elway highlighted in Super Bowl LVIII program feature story on championship quarterbacks
In the official game program for Super Bowl LVIII, the Broncos’ two world championship-winning quarterbacks are recognized for their athletic and mental prowess under center.

Randy Gradishar waits for formal election to Hall of Fame
The linebacker from the Denver Broncos’ famed Orange Crush defense should hear his named announced Thursday during the NFL Honors program.

Douglas County distributes nearly $1M in Denver Broncos sale funds for youth causes
Douglas County leaders decided how to distribute nearly $1 million in funding, triggered by the Denver Broncos sale, with help from youth.

What kind of quarterback is Broncos HC Sean Payton looking for?
We all know Denver Broncos HC Sean Payton did not mesh with veteran QB Russell Wilson. So, what type of quarterback is he looking for?

Guest Column: Denver Bronco Player Explains Why Financial Literacy is Essential for Equality
Ryan Harris, Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 Champion and Board Member of Economic Literacy Colorado, believes financial literacy is the key to equality.

NFL News & Tidbits

RB Index: Ranking all 72 starting running backs from the 2023 NFL season
Maurice Jones-Drew ranks all 72 starting running backs from the 2023 NFL season. How high does Rams RB Kyren Williams fly after a breakout Year 2? Does Lions rookie Jahmyr Gibbs crack the top 10?

Andy Reid had former Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy talk to offense ahead of AFC Championship Game
Chiefs coach Andy Reid noted during Wednesday’s Super Bowl LVIII availability that he had Eric Bieniemy in to talk to the offense before the AFC Championship Game, and the former Chiefs OC’s voice clearly resonates with the club after one season away in W

Super Bowl LVIII: Brock Purdy has San Francisco 49ers sitting pretty at QB for near future
Brock Purdy’s meteoric rise didn’t just help put the 49ers on the path to Super Bowl LVIII — it also set them up beautifully for 2024. Jeffri Chadiha digs into San Francisco’s fortunate quarterback situation.

Tom Brady ‘surprised’ team did not hire Bill Belichick as head coach for 2024 season
Tom Brady recently said on his “Let’s Go” podcast that he is “surprised” that former Patriots head coach is not expected to be the head coach of a team this upcoming season.

Former Bills, Jets HC Rex Ryan interviews with Cowboys for defensive coordinator position
The Dallas Cowboys have interviewed Rex Ryan for their vacant defensive coordinator position, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday. Ryan was previously the head coach for the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills, but has been out of the c

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Denver, CO

Denver police report increase in street racing arrests and citations in 2025

Published

7 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

Denver police report increase in street racing arrests and citations in 2025

DENVER — Street racing continues to pose threats to Colorado drivers, so Denver7 looked into the trends we saw throughout 2025.

Denver Police report 80 citations and arrests as of December 17 for 2025. That’s 20 more than last year, according to Doug Schepman, director of communications for the Denver Police Department (DPD).

There is one strip of road in Denver we asked Schepman about specifically, after hearing from business owners that it’s particularly troublesome.

We’re talking about the 2000 block of S. Santa Fe Drive in Denver.

Michael Gray, owner of Discount Fishing Tackle, said it’s a weekly occurrence to watch or hear cars and motorcycles zip past.

“Recently, we’ve seen the kids on the motorcycles coming by with the front wheel in the air, going just as dangerous as can be, and especially dangerous because so many other people are going so fast on this road,” Gray said.

He said he’s noticed that as more turnoffs are removed and the spacing between traffic lights gets longer, more drivers tend to use it as their personal raceway.

“It doesn’t affect us really too much, but you don’t like to have something as dangerous as that going on all the time,” he said.

Schepman said patrol districts are aware that street racing occurs along this stretch of South Santa Fe Drive, and that officers are directed to patrol the area during periods when reports are more prevalent.

He adds that the community plays a critical part in helping investigators curb this problem.

The Colorado State Patrol said it has received more than 1,700 reports from the community this year.

You can continue to report street racing here.

Denver7

Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Allie Jennerjahn

Denver7’s Allie Jennerjahn covers stories that have an impact in all of Colorado’s communities, but specializes in reporting on crime, corruption and ways to protect your family. If you’d like to get in touch with Allie, fill out the form below to send her an email.

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Denver, CO

Avalanche prevails against Vegas in wild 6-5 shootout win

Published

19 hours ago

December 28, 2025

Press Room

Avalanche prevails against Vegas in wild 6-5 shootout win

LAS VEGAS — It was such a crazy Saturday night in Sin City, the Colorado Avalanche finally won a shootout.

Nathan MacKinnon scored the deciding goal to give Colorado a 6-5 victory at T-Mobile Arena against the Vegas Golden Knights. It was the first shootout win in five tries this season for the league-leading Avs.

More importantly, this Avalanche team hasn’t played in many back-and-forth chaotic games this season. But like every other test this club has faced, the Avs proved up to the task. Colorado clawed back from 2-0, 4-2 and 5-4 deficits in what was easily the craziest contest of this campaign to date.

“It wasn’t a perfect game from us, that’s for sure,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “But we kept fighting and guys played with a lot of heart. When you’re down against a good team twice by by two and you’re able to come out with a win, it feels good.”

Colton Sissons got behind Martin Necas, who scored twice for Colorado, and was able to avoid a Scott Wedgewood pokecheck attempt to tuck a backhanded shot inside the left post with exactly four minutes left in the third period to give Vegas a 5-4 lead.

It looked like a third regulation loss of the season was imminent. It was not.

That is now seven straight wins for the Avs (28-2-7). There has been 10 streaks of seven wins or better in the league this season — Colorado has two of them and ended three others.

MacKinnon found Artturi Lehkonen in the slot for a one-timer with 1:57 and the Avs found a 6-on-5 goal to even this one again at 5-5. It was MacKinnon’s third point of the third period.

Sam Malinski had a career-high three assists in the win, while his defense partner Samuel Girard had a goal and an assist.

“They were awesome,” MacKinnon said. “Making great plays, good poise. I think especially Malinski has been so good this season. Just feels like he’s getting better every week.”

Vegas forged its second two-goal advantage of the night with scores on back-to-back shifts in the second period. A little more than a minute after Colorado had tied this contest at 2-2, Ben Hutton put the home team back in front with a one-timer from Alexander Holtz at 11:36 of the second.

Brett Howden cut through the middle of the ice on a rush the next shift and was able to redirect Reilly Smith’s centering pass past Scott Wedgewood at 12:05.

The Avs haven’t had to chase games in the third period often this year, but hunted down the Knights again, with the top line scoring twice in less than five minutes. MacKinnon set up Necas for a one-timer from the left circle at 3:52 of the third period to make it 4-3. It was Necas’ second of the game and 18th of the season.

Colorado kept the push on and found a flurry of chances. Malinski’s shot from the right point dribbled through Vegas goaltender Carter Hart, and MacKinnon was there to sweep it over the goal line. That was MacKinnon’s league-leading 31st goal of the season.

Alexander Holtz had the lone goal of the opening period to give Vegas the lead. Tomas Hertl won an offensive zone faceoff back to Noah Hanafin at the left point, and the defenseman hit Holtz cutting to the net near the right post for a redirection at 2:43 of the first.

The Golden Knights quickly made it a 2-0 game in the second period. Devon Toews was unable to connect on MacKinnon’s cross-ice pass for a one-timer in the right circle. One he missed, Ivan Barbashev collected the puck, and the Avs were caught with four guys too deep in the offensive zone.

Barbashev and Mitch Marner went the other way on a 2-on-1, and the latter made a great play to get a pass out of his skates and the puck back over to the former for a goal just 34 seconds into the middle period. This is only the fifth time in 37 games that Colorado has trailed by two goals in a contest.

For the third time in those five games, the Avs were able to get back even at some point. Both of Colorado’s second-period tallies came on weird bounces.

Girard tried to one-touch the puck to Lehkonen in the slot, but it went of Vegas defenseman Jeremy Lauzon’s stick and fluttered over Hart’s shoulder at 5:19 of the second. It was Girard’s third goal of the season, and his second straight tally for the Avs. Girard had the lone goal in a 1-0 win Tuesday against Utah in the final game before the break.

Necas leveled the score midway through the second. Necas collected a pass from Malinski and turned to shoot from near the top of the right circle. His shot was going wide left, but it bounced off defenseman Kaeden Korczak and trickled past Hart.

“Some games it just feels like it flows really well,” said Malinski, who is up to a career-best 21 points in just 37 games. “Pucks are popping out to good spots and we’re supporting each other well. But yeah, Sammy G just skates so well that it makes it easy on me a lot of the time.”

FOOTNOTE: FBI director Kash Patel was outside the Colorado locker room after the game and spoke with a few of the Avalanche players.

Want more Avalanche news? Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis.

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Denver, CO

Saturday AFC Showdown Comes With Massive Stakes for Broncos

Published

1 day ago

December 27, 2025

Press Room

Saturday AFC Showdown Comes With Massive Stakes for Broncos

The Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Night, but their inconsistent performance may not inspire confidence in the season finale. The Broncos will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18, which could be the deciding game for the division title, where the winner takes all.

However, since the Broncos beat the Chiefs, they remain a game and a half up on the Chargers, so if the Chargers lose to the Houston Texans on Saturday, Denver clinches the division. For Saturday only, Broncos Country will join Texans fans in rooting for Houston.

Chargers Are a Tough Matchup

Based on how the Broncos played against the depleted Chiefs, the Chargers will be a tough out in the season finale. The Chargers have been playing clean, efficient football over the past six or so weeks, and Bo Nix has yet to defeat them.

Of course, the games are played for a reason, and the Broncos could step up, address their issues over the next 10 days, and put together a great game plan to walk out with the win vs. L.A.

Unless several additional Week 17 games go Denver’s way, the Broncos will still have a lot to play for in that final game against the Chargers. However, having the division locked up going into Week 18 could take some of the pressure off the Broncos, who are pushing hard for the division title.

The Broncos need to play more freely, as everyone seems to be feeling the late-season pressure, which has led to the kind of silly mistakes they weren’t making earlier in the campaign. Teams want to reach critical mass in late December and be playing their best football, not the other way around.

What happens next for the Broncos? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second, sign up for our free newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

Issues to Fix During the Mini-Bye

Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun (19) throws against Denver Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto (15) during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Now, the Broncos’ defense is a much bigger issue and has been since they faced the Las Vegas Raiders in their first game. A lot of what made Denver’s defense so scary and hard to handle — the pass rush — hasn’t been the threat it was.

The Broncos have allowed the possibility of breaking the single-season sack record to slip through their hands, even though they’ve already beaten the franchise record set in 2024 (63). The single-season sack record is 72, and the Broncos have 64, after only sacking Chiefs third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun once.

The Broncos’ offense has been more efficient and consistent since Week 10, but the unit struggled to capitalize on the four scoring drives of 14-plus plays against the Chiefs, hitting paydirt on only 2-of-4 red-zone possessions. The Chiefs’ defense had a great game plan, forcing the Broncos to inch down the field, but it’s not as threatening as the Chargers’.

The onus is on the Broncos to show drastic improvements over this mini-bye. The offense needs to find consistency again, or hope that this latest Chiefs game was a fluke.

What’s at Stake

To be clear, either way, the Broncos will have a lot on the line in their season finale against the Chargers, but if the Texans can win on Saturday, giving the Broncos the division, it would be one less thing at stake. If the Broncos clinch the division with a Texans’ victory over L.A., they can only be the No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 seed.

If the Texans don’t beat the Chargers and the Broncos lose next week, they could fall as far as the No. 6 seed in the playoffs. So, Saturday is an important day throughout Bronco-land, even though the team has already played this week.

The Takeaway

Internally, the Broncos have had Super Bowl aspirations since the end of last season, and they were none too quiet about those goals during training camp. The AFC is up for grabs, and home-field advantage could go a long way to making it to the Super Bowl.

Denver would secure the top seed and division crown with a win next week, regardless of what happens on Saturday at SoFi Stadium. However, if the Texans can give the Broncos a little help by taking the division out of the equation, it would be a Mile-High gift this holiday season, and perhaps even take some of the fight out of the Chargers for Week 18.