The Denver Broncos head into year number three with a Super Bowl-winning head coach in Sean Payton and his hand-picked defensive coordinator, former Broncos head coach Vance Joseph.
Fans seemed to give the coaching staff a full pass on the 2023 season—the final year of the Russell Wilson experience. They appear to have forgotten the struggles of the defense and the calls we heard for VJ’s departure.
Now the selection of Bo Nix, paired woth the emergence of a top-tier defense, and of course, the first playoff appearance since 2015 have changed my mindset—and it seems the mindset of Broncos Country as well!
Expectations have become Mile High for the Denver Broncos in the minds of fans, with hopes of winning the AFC West, making deep playoff runs, and even calls for a Super Bowl appearance this season.
The additions of Jahdae Barron, RJ Harvey, and Pat Bryant in the NFL Draft—paired with Evan Engram, Dre Greenlaw, and Talanoa Hufanga—have loaded the team with a level of potential it hasn’t seen in almost a decade.
Sean Payton and Vance Joseph have the team—and the fan base—in their hands, with all of us expecting big things. So this is my question…
Who has more pressure this upcoming season???
Sean Payton and his Super Bowl résumé—now with his hand-selected quarterback, his “Joker,” and a running back he valued enough to take in the second round? He was brought in as one of the best offensive minds ever, yet has been outshined by the defense and special teams units so far.
Or Vance Joseph and his top-ranked defense? How much pressure does that put on him? Always on thin ice with Broncos faithful—and with Jim Leonhard lurking in the wings—how long of a leash will VJ have if Broncos losses come at the expense of a defense currently ranked near the top of the league?
The pressure will be on for each coach. Sean Payton is on record about coming out HOT in 2025. VJ may have the best defensive roster since the words “No Fly Zone” echoed regularly in the Mile High City.
So, is it Sean Payton or Vance Joseph? And which player do you think has the most pressure to live up to what Broncos Country believes is quite possible this year—a run toward an NFL Championship?
My vote… I’ll go with VJ, but it’s a lot closer in my mind than most would ever think.
Keith Brugman
Rocky Mountain Sports Network
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