Sean Payton draws surprising parallel between current Broncos team and one of the most memorable squads he’s led
If you weren’t already excited about the 2025 Denver Broncos, you’re about to be. All aboard the hype train, courtesy of Head Coach Sean Payton.
Days before the team’s first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on August 9, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said the two words that have fans jumping on the hype train. Those two words, of course, are “Super Bowl.”
Zac Stevens, beat reporter for DNVR Broncos, highlighted the difference between last year’s team and this year’s.
Giving more than just a handful of flowers to the players in the organization, and even comparing them to a previous Super Bowl-winning team.
The Denver Broncos have a Super Bowl-caliber roster
Speaking on whether the team has what it takes to raise the Lombardi, Payton didn’t mince his words.
“This is a team capable of winning the Super Bowl. I’ve coached six teams that I thought could win the Super Bowl. Some went to championship games, some to to playoffs.”
Payton, of course, was discussing his 2009 New Orleans Saints, who went on to win the Super Bowl. After decades of struggle and, quite literally, rebuilding the city from Hurricane Katrina, the 2009 Super Bowl-winning Saints had one of the most electric runs of all time. The raw emotions alone are still enough to bring some tears to my eyes even today.
Payton is building something special in Denver. The head coach has had longer press junkets than ever before, bringing back some key guys, and finding ways to take the team to that next level heading into the season.
Big things expected from QB Bo Nix
Quarterback Bo Nix was widely disrespected heading into last season, which carried on through multiple games. Nix put his head down, worked hard, and it paid off with the team clinching a playoff berth with a rookie QB at the helm.
The first few minutes of the playoff game against the Bills had Broncos fans excited for the future of the organization, even with the playoff loss. Despite his success, Nix is still finding himself on the receiving end of some pretty wild disrespect.
Sean Payton’s offseason moves
Payton is looking to build from a stellar season, and he’s done that via the draft and free agency. Payton has added some crucial pieces this offseason with the likes of linebacker Dre Greenlaw, while also taking care of those in-house, like the recent Zach Allen deal.
In the draft, Denver had seven selections which saw them bring in: CB Jahdae Barron from Texas, RB RJ Harvey from UCF, WR Pat Bryant from Illinois, DE Sai-vion Jones from LSU, OLB Que Robinson from Alabama, P Jeremy Crashaw from Florida, and finally TE Caleb Lohnber from Utah. Spending equal time building both the offense and defense was a big win for the organization.
On top of that, even some UDFAs are making strides in camp, something that the organization has been incredibly good at over the past few seasons.
Being in a division with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs is a daunting task for any head coach. Pair that with the betting odds putting Denver third in their division behind the Chiefs and the Chargers, and there are still those who doubt what this team can accomplish.
If the Denver Broncos want to return to the Super Bowl for the first time in a decade, Payton has his work cut out for him. If history is any indication, we know he’ll be up for the challenge.
All aboard the Broncos hype train.