Preseason Not Indicative of the Denver Broncos Potential

In the NFL, preseason games are often viewed as a preview of the upcoming season—fueling fan excitement, sparking media debates, and setting early narratives about which teams will thrive or struggle. But for the Denver Broncos, as with most franchises, preseason results are a poor barometer of true potential. Preseason Not Indicative of the Denver Broncos Potential isn’t just a defense of slow starts; it’s a recognition of the preseason’s unique purpose: evaluating depth players, testing new schemes without full commitment, and prioritizing injury prevention over wins. From limited snaps for starters to experimental lineups, the Broncos’ preseason performance rarely aligns with how they’ll play when the stakes are high in September and beyond.

Preseason Not Indicative of the Denver Broncos Potential is rooted in the NFL’s unwritten rule: starters play sparingly (if at all) in preseason games. For the Broncos, this means key players like quarterback Russell Wilson, running back Javonte Williams, and linebacker Greenlaw typically see action only in the first quarter of one or two preseason contests—if they suit up at all. The 2024 preseason was a perfect example: Wilson played just 12 snaps across two games, completing 4 of 6 passes for 38 yards, while Greenlaw didn’t take the field once, as coaches opted to protect him from unnecessary risk. Instead, the Broncos gave meaningful reps to backups and rookies fighting for roster spots, like undrafted quarterback Ben DiNucci and second-year linebacker Drew Sanders. Unsurprisingly, the Broncos finished the 2024 preseason with a 1-2 record, with their offense scoring just 17 points per game. But when the regular season began, the story changed: Wilson led the Broncos to a 24-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1, throwing for 252 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense held Raiders star Davante Adams to 45 receiving yards. “Preseason is for evaluating, not winning,” said Broncos head coach Sean Payton after Week 1. “We don’t put our starters in harm’s way to get a preseason win—we save that energy for when it counts.”

Preseason Not Indicative of the Denver Broncos Potential also stems from the team’s focus on scheme experimentation over execution. Preseason games are where coaches test new plays, tweak defensive coverages, and experiment with position groupings—often at the cost of short-term success. During the 2023 preseason, the Broncos’ offense ran 15 different trick plays (including reverse passes and fake punts) across three games, many of which failed because they were still being refined. In a Week 2 preseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks, a reverse pass from wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to Wilson was intercepted, leading to a Seahawks touchdown—a play that would never have been called in a regular-season game. Defensively, the Broncos tested a new 3-4 alignment with Greenlaw at outside linebacker (a position he hadn’t played since college), resulting in confusion that led to two long Seahawks runs. But by Week 1 of the regular season, those kinks were ironed out: the trick plays were scaled back to a handful of well-timed options, and Greenlaw had settled into his role, recording 8 tackles and a sack in the Broncos’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers. “Preseason is our lab,” said Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. “We try things, see what works, and fix what doesn’t. If we’re perfect in August, we’re not learning anything.”

Preseason Not Indicative of the Denver Broncos Potential is further proven by the team’s history of bouncing back from poor preseason showings. In 2022, the Broncos went 0-3 in the preseason, scoring just 32 total points and allowing 65. Media outlets declared the season a “lost cause,” with some analysts predicting a last-place finish in the AFC West. But the Denver Broncos defied expectations, finishing the regular season 9-8 and narrowly missing the playoffs. The turnaround was driven by starters finding their rhythm (Wilson improved his quarterback rating by 15 points from preseason to regular season) and key injuries healing before Week 1. Similarly, in 2019, the Broncos went 1-2 in the preseason but won the AFC West with a 12-4 record, led by a defense that ranked third in the NFL in points allowed. “Our preseason record doesn’t tell you anything about our team,” said Broncos general manager George Paton after the 2022 season. “We’ve seen time and again that the teams that prioritize long-term health and scheme development in August are the ones that succeed in January.” The Denver Broncos’ front office has even built their roster with preseason in mind, signing veteran backups who can step in during August games without compromising the regular-season core.

Preseason Not Indicative of the Denver Broncos Potential also accounts for the roster turnover that happens between preseason and Week 1. NFL teams cut their rosters from 90 players to 53 after the preseason, meaning nearly 40% of the players who suit up in August won’t be with the team when the regular season begins. For the Denver Broncos, this turnover often includes the players who get the most preseason reps—like third-string quarterbacks, practice squad running backs, and undrafted defensive linemen. In 2024, for example, DiNucci (who started two preseason games) was cut and signed to the practice squad, while Sanders (who led the team in preseason tackles) was moved to a rotational role behind Greenlaw. When the regular season started, the Broncos’ lineup featured 42 players who saw fewer than 10 preseason snaps—hardly the group that defined their August performance. “You can’t judge a team when 60% of the players on the field in preseason aren’t going to be there in September,” said former Broncos tight end and NFL analyst Shannon Sharpe. “The Denver Broncos build their roster to win in the regular season, not the preseason—and that’s the smart way to do it.”

Preseason Not Indicative of the Denver Broncos Potential is a reminder that NFL success is measured over 17 regular-season games, not three exhibition contests. The Broncos’ focus on long-term goals—protecting starters, refining schemes, and identifying hidden talent—may lead to underwhelming preseason results, but it’s a strategy that has consistently positioned them for regular-season competitiveness. For fans, it’s a call to patience: August losses don’t predict September wins, and preseason struggles don’t define a team’s potential. As the 2025 preseason approaches, the Denver Broncos will likely face the same questions about their performance—but those who remember the franchise’s history will know to wait until Week 1 before passing judgment. “Preseason is just the warm-up,” said Payton. “The real game starts when the crowd sings the national anthem and the scoreboard counts for something. That’s when you’ll see what this team is truly capable of.” In the end, Preseason Not Indicative of the Denver Broncos Potential is a testament to the franchise’s commitment to sustainability over quick fixes—a philosophy that has kept the Broncos relevant for decades and will continue to guide them toward future success.