The Denver Broncos are in an incredible position heading into the 2025 NFL season. They have their franchise quarterback, weapons on offense, and upgraded an already ferocious defense. There are, however, a few things that could hinder their full potential.
The Broncos have acquired some quality players in free agency. One of them is Dre Greenlaw, an outside linebacker from the San Francisco 49ers. He is an incredible run stopper and pass rusher, but the last time he saw the field was in Super Bowl 58.
In February of 2024, Greenlaw tore his Achilles. As the sports world knows, that injury is usually career-altering and sometimes career-ending. He recently suffered from a quadriceps injury this summer while prepping for the upcoming season, which is a bit worrisome.
Another 49er that the Broncos added was Talanoa Hufanga, a safety. Additionally, another quality player with a somewhat injury-prone history. He suffered a torn ACL in 2023. When returning in 2024, he suffered a wrist injury that placed him on injured reserve. The injuries have limited him to just 17 games over the last two years.
The final noteworthy pickup Denver had was tight end Evan Engram from the Jaguars. Engram’s injuries were not as severe as those of the other two, but he consistently seemed to have nagging injuries throughout his career. Engram has suffered a concussion twice, having one in 2017 and one in 2018.
Engram then suffered from MCL injuries in 2019 and 2021, but was remarkably healthy in 2022 and 2023. In those two healthy years, he combined for 187 receptions, 1,729 yards, and eight touchdowns. He then suffered a torn shoulder labrum and hamstring strain in the most recent year, sidelining him for most of the year.
These three players are the difference between the Broncos being a solid team, as they were in 2024, and a true contender in 2025. For that to happen, they need to be blessed by the injury gods.
Broncos Nation loves Bo Nix, and he has brought a level of hope that hasn’t been experienced in almost a decade. As a rookie, he had a total of over 4,000 yards and 34 touchdowns. With the new offensive acquisitions via draft and free agency, the hope is that he takes a step forward.
That, however, should be said with caution because of the notorious sophomore slumps. The best way to explain it is that defenses have a year’s worth of tape and can adjust to QB tendencies. With the offseason studying, they are able to better hone in on the quarterback’s weaknesses.
A recent example is CJ Stroud. As a rookie in 2023, he had 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions, and had a 100.8 passer rating. In 2024, though, all those numbers dropped. He had 3,727 yards with just 20 touchdowns, and his interceptions more than doubled with 12. His passer rating was also 87.0.
It’s a big year for Stroud to see if he can adjust to the defenses similarly to how they adjusted to him from year one to year two.
Another example was Dak Prescott. He had 3,667 yards with 23 touchdowns and four interceptions in his rookie season to 3,324 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
It’s not just rookie year to second year. It can also apply from the first year as a starter to the second year as a starter. Drew Brees is a good example.
Year two was Brees’ first year as a starter. In that year, he had 3,284 yards with 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, which isn’t great, but was significantly worse the year after. In year three, he had 2,108 yards with 11 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
The point is that quarterback production, especially early in their careers, is not always a linear progression. Things could go backwards.
The Broncos have a team that can match up with any other team. That includes the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. They, on paper, should be able to compete with everyone on their schedule.
Denver has to find a way to be healthy all year. Fortunately, though the history of the players is not on their side, the numbers are. The Broncos in 2024 had 16 injured players, tied for the fewest in the league.
The Broncos’ training staff is ranked 11th of 32, so those results are certainly duplicable.
As for the Nix side of things, the slump should be something to keep in mind but not fear. Despite the examples shown above, there are a good number of QBs who don’t experience it. Guys like Patrick Mahomes, Andrew Luck, and Justin Herbert have all either improved or remained the same.
This year will be a good indicator of what kind of career young Nix will have here in Denver.
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