The Kansas City Chiefs have controlled the AFC West for the last nine years, and controlled the AFC for five of the last six years. The Chiefs have won three Super Bowls and played in five over the last six seasons.
The last time the Chiefs didn't win the AFC West, it was the Denver Broncos, when they won the Super Bowl in 2015.
In 2024, the Broncos returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and are looking to build on that success in 2025.
The Broncos will look to return to the playoffs for a second consecutive year and overtake the Chiefs in their division.
“You want to take down the big dog," offensive lineman Garett Bolles said (h/t forbes.com). "Because then you become the dog.”
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) and offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) following the win against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) and offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) following the win against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
However, Bolles knows that isn't an easy task. The Chiefs are loaded with proven star power, and the Broncos are still young.
“You have a Hall of Fame coach in Andy Reid, and then you have another Hall of Famer named Patrick Mahomes,” Bolles said. “Then you have another Hall of Fame receiver named Travis Kelce.”
But the Broncos have plenty of weapons on their end as well. Quarterback Bo Nix had a very strong rookie season, and all signs point to development and growth ahead of year two.
Denver signed tight end Evan Engram this offseason to provide another weapon for Nix alongside star receiver Courtland Sutton, and a host of young, talented receivers to fill the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. In addition, the Broncos have a new two-headed monster in the backfield with rookie RJ Harvey and veteran J.K. Dobbins.
Then, on the defensive side, the Broncos ranked No. 2 in the NFL in points allowed in 2024. This offseason, they added All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga and veteran linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Then they drafted cornerback Jahdae Barron in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to play alongside their reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Patrick Surtain II.
The Broncos' defense is loaded for 2025 and could be the best unit in the league; exactly what you need if you want to slow down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
The Chiefs have controlled the AFC West for the last nine years, but the Broncos controlled it for the previous five at the beginning of the 2010s. Now, the Broncos are on the hunt to reclaim their division.
“The Broncos have dominated this division for a long time, and now the Chiefs took it over,” Bolles said. “Now we’re trying to get it back.”