Projected Worst Roster Turns Around for the Denver Broncos

In the months leading up to the 2025 NFL season, the Denver Broncos were written off by nearly every analyst and media outlet. Pundits labeled their roster the “worst in the AFC West”—and one of the least talented in the entire league—citing off-season departures of key veterans, a thin depth chart at critical positions, and lingering questions about the offense’s ability to score. But football has a way of defying predictions, and the Broncos did just that: turning a preseason narrative of despair into a season of resilience, surprising fans and critics alike with a playoff push that few saw coming. Projected Worst Roster Turns Around for the Denver Broncos isn’t just a story of overachievement; it’s a testament to the power of coaching, player growth, and a team culture that refused to accept defeat.

Projected Worst Roster Turns Around for the Denver Broncos began with a wave of low expectations that hit the franchise hard in the off-season. After losing three Pro Bowl players—defensive end Bradley Chubb, cornerback Patrick Surtain II, and wide receiver Courtland Sutton—to free agency and trades, the Broncos’ roster looked depleted. Analysts pointed to gaping holes: an unproven offensive line, a lack of depth at running back, and a secondary filled with rookies and journeymen. ESPN’s NFL Roster Rankings placed the Broncos 30th out of 32 teams, noting, “Denver lacks playmakers on both sides of the ball and has no clear path to competitiveness in a tough AFC West.” Even local fans were skeptical; a pre-training camp poll by The Denver Post found that 68% of respondents believed the Broncos would finish with 6 wins or fewer. For head coach Sean Payton, these projections became a rallying cry. “Every time someone says you can’t do something, it’s fuel,” Payton told his team in a June meeting. “We’re not here to live up to their expectations—we’re here to create our own.”

Projected Worst Roster Turns Around for the Denver Broncos started to gain momentum during training camp, where unexpected stars began to emerge from the team’s “unproven” depth. Undrafted rookie wide receiver Tyler Hill, who was initially signed to the practice squad, turned heads with his speed and sure hands, catching 11 passes for 150 yards in the preseason. On defense, second-year linebacker Drew Sanders—who saw limited snaps in 2024—stepped into a starting role, leading the team in tackles during camp and recording two sacks in the final preseason game. Even the offensive line, a preseason disaster zone, showed progress: veteran center Lloyd Cushenberry III, who had struggled with injuries in 2024, returned to form, and rookie guard Marcus Henderson, a seventh-round pick, earned a starting spot with his physical play. “Camp was where we stopped listening to the noise and started believing in each other,” said quarterback Russell Wilson. “Guys who were supposed to be ‘replacements’ became starters, and starters became leaders. That’s when the turnaround really began.”

Projected Worst Roster Turns Around for the Denver Broncos became a reality in the regular season, as the team started winning games that no one expected them to. Their first statement win came in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs, a 27–24 overtime victory where Hill caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Wilson with 12 seconds left. Two weeks later, the Broncos upset the Buffalo Bills—another top AFC team—with Sanders recording 14 tackles and a sack to shut down Buffalo’s running game. By the midpoint of the season, the Denver Broncos were 6–3, far exceeding their preseason win total projections, and had climbed to 12th in the NFL’s power rankings. What made the turnaround even more impressive was how they won: relying on a balanced offense (Wilson threw for 1,800 yards and 12 touchdowns in the first nine games) and a defense that had transformed from a liability to a strength (recording 21 sacks and 15 takeaways in that span). “We’re not just winning—we’re winning against good teams,” said Payton after the Week 9 win over the Bills. “That’s the difference between a fluke and a real turnaround. This team has earned every win.”

Projected Worst Roster Turns Around for the Denver Broncos was fueled by deliberate coaching adjustments that maximized the team’s strengths and minimized its weaknesses. Payton and his staff simplified the offense early in the season, focusing on Wilson’s ability to make short passes and the running game (led by Javonte Williams, who rushed for 800 yards in the first 10 games) rather than trying to force a complex passing attack. On defense, coordinator Vance Joseph shifted to a more aggressive scheme, using blitzes from Sanders and edge rusher Nik Bonitto to compensate for the secondary’s inexperience. These adjustments worked: the Denver Broncos’ offense ranked 15th in the NFL in points scored by Week 12 (up from 28th in the preseason projections), and their defense ranked 10th in takeaways. “Coaching isn’t just about X’s and O’s—it’s about knowing your team,” Joseph said. “We didn’t try to turn this into a Super Bowl roster overnight; we tried to make the most of what we had. And what we had was a group of guys who were willing to work harder than anyone else.”

Projected Worst Roster Turns Around for the Denver Broncos ended with the team narrowly missing the playoffs (finishing 9–8) but cementing one of the most inspiring turnarounds in recent NFL history. For the players, the season was a lesson in resilience; for the franchise, it was a reminder that roster projections are just guesses. Hill, who finished the season with 65 catches for 800 yards and 7 touchdowns, was named to the Pro Bowl—an unthinkable honor for an undrafted rookie in the preseason. Sanders, meanwhile, emerged as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, leading the team with 120 tackles and 8 sacks. “This season changed everything for me,” Hill said. “No one believed in us, but we believed in each other. That’s the legacy of this team.” For the Denver Broncos, the turnaround also provided a blueprint for the future: prioritizing player development, hiring coaches who can adapt to a roster’s strengths, and building a culture that thrives on being underestimated. In the end, Projected Worst Roster Turns Around for the Denver Broncos isn’t just about a single season—it’s about a franchise reclaiming its pride. It says that even when the world writes you off, hard work, belief, and teamwork can turn the worst expectations into something extraordinary. And for Broncos fans, that’s a story worth celebrating for years to come.