Your (column) about Bo Nix turning the Broncos into Super Bowl contenders next year was premature. The Broncos have eight games next year against playoff teams. You’ve obviously drank the Kool-Aid. A bit of pragmatism would be refreshing when writing about the Broncos’ future.

In 1983, the Denver Broncos went on the road to Seattle and lost a wild-card playoff game 31-7. There was a rookie quarterback named John Elway who played that day. Things worked out pretty well for the future Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl winner.

Well, the simple answer is we didn’t win a Super Bowl,” Nix said of his rookie year. “So there’s a lot to learn from, a lot to grow from.”

Coach Sean Payton raged at Vance Joseph on the sideline in Buffalo. But even after the Bills stampeded the Broncos in the second half of a 31-7 loss at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, the 35,000-foot view still tells us the defense is not Denver’s problem.

There is a reason why no rookie quarterback in NFL history has ever started a Super Bowl. In fact, only five rookie quarterbacks have ever started a conference championship game and their combined record is 0-5.

In a season in which the Denver Broncos finally got back to the playoffs, which players stood out and won our awards?

The Denver Broncos were one of the most surprising teams in 2024, snapping a nearly decade-long playoff drought. There are some holes on the roster still. One in particular should be of interest to Broncos head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix.