The Denver Broncos were so close to the Super Bowl in 2025 that if Bo Nix hadn't gotten hurt in the AFC Divisional Round, they might've been favorites over the New England Patriots in the Championship game.
But now, heading into 2026, there's renewed optimism for the Broncos as they pursue a trip to the Super Bowl. The team is as good as ever, and they even added Jaylen Waddle as a supremely talented WR to the offense.
However, Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News handed the Broncos just a "C" grade for their NFL offseason. It's a lackluster grade for the Broncos, but there's a good reason for that: Denver really didn't need to do much this offseason to improve their chances.
Why Broncos got a 'C' graded offseason from Sporting News
"The Broncos are counting on Waddle to help Courtland Sutton help Bo Nix, but there wasn't much needed or able to be done to upgrade an AFC runner-up," Iyer writes. "Overall improvement from young players will be the key for Sean Payton to get them back to the championship game in a tough AFC field."
Denver's only real noteworthy move this offseason was the blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins for Waddle. Sean Payton and George Paton didn't really make any other big moves.
They didn't have a first or second-rounder in this year's draft class, and didn't make any major offseason additions in free agency.
They lost John Franklin-Myers to the Tennessee Titans, and re-signed J.K. Dobbins and Alex Singleton while cutting ties with Dre Greenlaw.
MORE: Broncos urged to trade Riley Moss in move that’d make no sense
With such a lackluster offseason, even with the Waddle deal in mind, Iyer handed the Broncos a "C" grade for their work this offseason.
It's not a terrible offseason, but for a Super Bowl contender, it is a little lackluster. Adding more help at edge rusher or defensive tackle, or upgrading at linebacker and/or tight end would've helped make this offseason more exciting.
Broncos fans shouldn't stress about this lackluster offseason grade, as the key for this team was keeping the band together for another playoff run.
Sure, more upgrades would've been nice. But this team already had what it takes to make the Super Bowl, and now they've added Waddle to the mix offensively. A "C" grade is appropriate, as, other than Waddle, not much was added for Denver this offseason.
More NFL news:
It just got a lot harder for Cowboys to trade George Pickens
Bears urged by NFL exec to use Cole Kmet more amid top-10 TE ranking
If Bills trade Josh Allen, this would be the mind-blowing cost
Seahawks trade idea lands Jackson powers-Johnson from Raiders for one draft pick
49ers urged to trade Mac Jones if they receive an offer of at least a 2nd round pick