The Denver Broncos snapped an eight-year playoff drought in Sean Payton's second season at the helm, losing in the Wild Card Round to Buffalo. The expectations are raised for 2025.
Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. said during an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio that the feeling in the locker room is different than last year when many didn't expect Denver to snap that postseason futility streak and win 10 games.
"You can kind of feel throughout the locker room that everyone is hungry, especially the guys who were here and played in Buffalo last year and got a taste of the playoffs," Mims said. "They know what it's like, know what it takes to get there. Then we bring in and Dre Greenlaw, Evan Engram. We bring in some more guys…You can really feel that the times are changing for us. People always like to say a 'win now' mode. With the way things went last year, we were projected to be last in the league last year and end up making the wild card. Guys that were here last year, they believe. The guys that are coming in, they want to make an impact too. I think everyone's hungry."
The expectations under Payton have shifted from extremely low, as the coach and front office completely reshuffled the roster, to a belief outside of Denver that the Broncos could challenge the Kansas City Chiefs' supremacy in the AFC West.
For Mims, the key is staying even-keeled as the club ramps up for the long grind of the season.
"I feel like we're poised and were really level-headed this year and that we're going to make something happen this year as long as we keep going on each other and just strive to get there," he said.
If Greenlaw and Hufanga stay healthy after coming over from San Francisco, Vance Joseph's defense will be stacked. The Broncos already boast an underrated front led by Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto. Patrick Surtain II is coming off a Defensive Player of the Year season. Riley Moss continues to improve, and the addition of rookie Jahdae Barron gives Denver a Brian Branch-type do-it-all difference maker in the secondary.
On offense, Bo Nix took drastic strides throughout the season and should be poised for a Year 2 leap under Payton. The backfield found upgrades in RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins, the offensive line is one of the best in the NFL, and Engram was added as a needed tight end/Joker-type.
The most significant question mark is at receiver, where Courtland Sutton is the only proven, consistent pass-catching weapon. Mims could see his role increase in Year 3, and the Broncos added veteran Trent Sherfield in free agency. Third-round rookie Pat Bryant, who Payton has compared to former Saints great Michael Thomas, is the wild-card prospect. If that comparison proves true out of the gate in 2025, the Broncos roster should be considered stacked.