| Team: | Denver Broncos |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Record: | 8–9 |
| Division Place: | 3rd AFC West |
| Coach: | Sean Payton |
| Owner: | Rob Walton |
| General Manager: | George Paton |
| Stadium: | Empower Field at Mile High |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers: | CB Patrick Surtain II FS Justin Simmons KR Marvin Mims |
| Ap All-Pros: | S Justin Simmons RS Marvin Mims |
| Uniform: | File:Broncos uniforms.png |
| Shortnavlink: | Broncos seasons |
The 2023 season was the Denver Broncos' 54th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 64th overall. It was also their third under the leadership of general manager George Paton, their second under the ownership of the Walton-Penner family group and their first under head coach Sean Payton. During the off-season, the Broncos released longtime kicker Brandon McManus after spending nine seasons with the team. He was the last player from the 2015 Super Bowl 50-winning team still on the roster. His release made safety Justin Simmons, who has been with the team since 2016, the team's new longest-tenured player.[1]
After a dismal 1–5 start, the team's first since 1994, the Broncos started to surge, winning five straight for the first time since 2015 to improve upon their 5–12 record from the previous season. However, the Broncos won just two of their final six games, suffering their seventh consecutive losing season and missed the playoffs for an eighth consecutive season. After his worst statistical season in 2022, quarterback Russell Wilson improved his performance, but was benched for the team's final two games for financial reasons and was subsequently released the following offseason where he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers.
One of the Broncos' highlights of the season was their Week 8 win of 24–9 over division rival, defending Super Bowl champion and eventual-repeat champion Kansas City Chiefs. This win snapped a 16-game losing streak by the Broncos against the Chiefs, and their first win against quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Meanwhile, one of the team’s lowlights was a 20–70 loss in Week 3 to the Miami Dolphins.
On February 3, Sean Payton was named as the 20th head coach in franchise history. Payton previously coached the New Orleans Saints from 2006–2021, with the exception of 2012, and the Broncos agreed to draft compensation with the Saints—see Draft section. Payton was the Broncos' seventh different head coach since 2008, and their third since 2018.[2] He replaced Nathaniel Hackett, who was fired on December 26, 2022, and replaced by Jerry Rosburg on an interim basis for the last two games of the 2022 season.[3]
In the weeks that followed Payton's hiring, the Broncos underwent the following coaching changes:
| Position | Previous coach(es) | 2023 replacement(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant head coach | None | Mike Westhoff | |
| Assistant to the head coach | None | Paul Kelly | |
| Offensive coordinator | Justin Outten, 2022 | Joe Lombardi | |
| Quarterbacks coach | Klint Kubiak, 2022 | Davis Webb | |
| Pass game coordinator | Klint Kubiak, 2022 | John Morton | |
| Running backs coach | Tyrone Wheatley, 2022 | Lou Ayeni | |
| Wide receivers coach | Zach Azzanni, 2018–2022 | Keary Colbert | |
| Tight ends coach | Jake Moreland, 2022 | Declan Doyle | |
| Offensive line coach | Butch Barry (Weeks 1–16, 2022) Ben Steele (interim—Weeks 17 and 18, 2022) | Zach Strief | |
| Assistant offensive line coach | Ben Steele, 2022 | Austin King | |
| Offensive quality control | Ramon Chinyoung, 2022 | Logan Kilgore Favian Upshaw | |
| Defensive coordinator | Ejiro Evero, 2022 | Vance Joseph | |
| Linebackers coach | Peter Hansen, 2022 | None | |
| Outside linebackers coach | Bert Watts, 2022 | Michael Wilhoite | |
| Inside linebackers coach | None | Greg Manusky | |
| Pass rush specialist | None | Jamar Cain | |
| Assistant defensive backs | Ola Adams, 2022 | None | |
| Defensive quality control coach | Andrew Carter, 2022 | Addison Lynch Isaac Shewmaker | |
| Senior defensive assistant | Dom Capers, 2022 | Joe Vitt | |
| Special teams coach | Dwayne Stukes (Weeks 1–16, 2022) Mike Mallory (interim—Weeks 17 and 18, 2022) | Ben Kotwica | |
| Assistant special teams coach | Mike Mallory, 2022 | Chris Banjo |
All players listed below were signed to reserve/future contracts on January 9, unless otherwise noted. Each player was officially added to the active roster on March 15—the first day of the 2023 league year.[4]
| Position | Player | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| waived March 14[5] | |||
| Parker Ferguson | waived May 12[6] | ||
| waived August 29[7] | |||
| CB | Delonte Hood | waived August 27[8] | |
| Jordan Jackson | signed January 11,[9] waived August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30[10] | ||
| waived August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30 | |||
| Tyreik McAllister | waived May 12, re-signed May 15,[11] waived May 31[12] | ||
| Isaiah Prince | signed February 3,[13] released August 27 | ||
| released March 20[14] | |||
| T | Hunter Thedford | waived May 25[15] | |
| LB | waived August 14[16] |
| Position | Player | 2023 team | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | ||||
| signed with the Patriots on March 14[17] | ||||
| originally an, re-signed March 22,[18] waived October 3,[19] claimed off waivers by the Chargers on October 4[20] | ||||
| signed with the Texans on March 14[21] | ||||
| originally an, signed with the Raiders on March 17[22] | ||||
| Houston Texans | signed with the Texans on March 14[23] | |||
| None | ||||
| T | Denver Broncos | re-signed May 23[24] | ||
| LB | None | originally an | ||
| Denver Broncos | re-signed May 15[25] | |||
| signed with the Seahawks on March 13[26] | ||||
| S | Denver Broncos | originally an, re-signed March 16,[27] placed on injured reserve August 31,[28] returned to the active roster on October 7[29] | ||
| RB | signed with the Cardinals on August 4[30] | |||
| RB | signed with the Bills on May 1[31] | |||
| CB | Houston Texans | Signed with the Texans on May 4[32] | ||
| G | signed with the Vikings on September 18[33] | |||
| originally an, signed with the Rams on May 4[34] | ||||
| signed with the Dolphins on March 15[35] | ||||
| LB | Denver Broncos | re-signed March 16[36] | ||
| TE | Houston Texans | signed with the Texans on May 3[37] | ||
| T | Signed with the Jets on May 1[38] | |||
| originally an ERFA, assigned tender on March 13, tender rescinded on March 21,[39] signed with the Patriots on March 23[40] | ||||
| DE | signed with the Panthers on March 15[41] |
| Position | Player | Tag | 2022 team | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERFA | Denver Broncos | assigned tender on March 13,[42] released August 29, re-signed August 31 | |||
| ERFA | None | assigned tender on March 13, placed on injured reserve on August 3 | |||
| Position | Player | 2022 team(s) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| signed March 15[43] | ||||
| signed July 28,[44] waived August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30 | ||||
| signed March 17[45] | ||||
| WR | signed March 24,[46] waived August 29 | |||
| Kansas City Chiefs | signed June 13,[47] released October 14[48] | |||
| None | claimed off waivers from the Chiefs on October 20,[49] waived November 14[50] | |||
| None | signed May 16,[51] waived August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30 | |||
| signed March 21 | ||||
| signed July 31,[52] designated as waived/injured on August 5[53] | ||||
| None | signed May 31, designated as waived/injured on August 15[54] | |||
| signed April 3,[55] released August 29 | ||||
| WR | None | signed August 22,[56] waived August 29 | ||
| None | signed June 1,[57] waived August 29 | |||
| WR | signed March 7,[58] released August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30, promoted to the active roster on September 13,[59] released October 11,[60] promoted to the active roster on October 18,[61] released October 20, promoted to the active roster on October 25[62] | |||
| Seattle Seahawks | signed March 23,[63] waived August 29 | |||
| WR | None | signed August 14, waived August 27 | ||
| TE | New Orleans Saints | promoted to the active roster on December 16[64] | ||
| None | signed May 23,[65] released August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30 | |||
| None | signed August 23,[66] waived August 29 | |||
| signed March 15[67] | ||||
| PK | signed July 25,[68] released August 29 | |||
| DE | None | signed August 5, designated as waived/injured on August 16[69] | ||
| signed August 2,[70] released August 29, re-signed August 31 | ||||
| TE | signed March 15[71] | |||
| LB | None | signed to practice squad on December 6[72] | ||
| NT | None | signed as part of the International Player Pathway Program on May 12,[73] waived August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30 | ||
| LB | Arizona Cardinals | promoted to the active roster on October 30[74] | ||
| RB | None | signed May 16, waived June 1 | ||
| RB | signed March 16[75] | |||
| LB | None | signed from the New England Patriots' practice squad on September 18,[76] waived December 14,[77] assigned to the practice squad on December 16 | ||
| signed March 16[78] | ||||
| CB | signed March 17[79] | |||
| signed March 15[80] | ||||
| RB | signed August 16, released August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30, promoted to the active roster on October 4[81] |
| Position | Player | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| waived August 29 | |||
| waived August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30 | |||
| RB | waived June 5[82] | ||
| released March 14 | |||
| waived July 31 | |||
| RB | released March 13[83] | ||
| released March 13 | |||
| waived July 25 | |||
| WR | waived August 27 | ||
| CB | waived March 20 | ||
| released May 23[84] | |||
| LB | released May 10[85] | ||
| LB | waived August 29 | ||
| released August 29, re-signed August 31 | |||
| waived August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30 | |||
| WR | waived March 14 | ||
| WR | waived August 29 |
See main article: 2023 NFL draft.
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Traded to the Seattle Seahawks | |||
| 29 | Traded to the New Orleans Saints | From Miami Dolphins | |||
| 2 | 37 | Traded to the Seattle Seahawks | |||
| 63 | From Detroit Lions | ||||
| 3 | 67 | From Indianapolis Colts | |||
| 68 | Traded to the Detroit Lions | ||||
| 83 | From Seattle Seahawks | ||||
| 4 | 108 | Traded to the Seattle Seahawks | |||
| 5 | 139 | Traded to the Detroit Lions | |||
| 6 | 183 | From Broncos via Detroit Lions | |||
| 195 | Traded to the New Orleans Saints | From Pittsburgh Steelers | |||
| 7 | 222 | Traded to the San Francisco 49ers | |||
| 241 | Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers | From Minnesota Vikings | |||
| 257 | From New Orleans Saints |
All undrafted free agents were signed prior to the team's rookie minicamp on May 12,[73] unless noted otherwise.
| Player | Position | College | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| made the Week 1 roster[86] | ||||
| signed August 3, waived August 29 | ||||
| Seth Benson | LB | waived August 29 | ||
| waived August 29 | ||||
| Dallas Daniels | waived May 15 | |||
| Darrious Gaines | waived May 15 | |||
| Art Green | CB | waived August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30, promoted to the active roster on January 7[87] | ||
| Taylor Grimes | WR | waived August 29 | ||
| LB | waived August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30 | |||
| LB | made the Week 1 roster | |||
| Demontrey Jacobs | waived August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30 | |||
| signed August 15, waived August 23 | ||||
| Kris Leach | TE | waived May 15 | ||
| made the Week 1 roster | ||||
| waived August 29, assigned to the practice squad on August 30 | ||||
| T | made the Week 1 roster, placed on injured reserve August 31, activated for the team's season finale on January 6 | |||
| WR | signed June 5, waived June 13, signed July 25, waived July 28, signed August 1,[88] waived August 27 | |||
| RB | waived May 15 |
Eyioma Uwazurike
On July 24, defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the league’s gambling policy. Uwazurike, the team's 2022 fourth-round draft selection, bet on NFL games during his rookie season.[89]
Kareem Jackson
Safety Kareem Jackson was suspended twice by the NFL for repeated violations of the league's policy on unnecessary roughness.
On October 23, Jackson was initially suspended four games following the Broncos' Week 7 win over the Green Bay Packers after being ejected for a forceful blow to the head & neck area of Packers' tight end Luke Musgrave, when Musgrave was determined to be a defenseless receiver. Jackson was also ejected during the Broncos' Week 2 loss to the Washington Commanders for a similar hit on Commanders' tight end Logan Thomas, which resulted in Thomas suffering a concussion. Jackson was fined for a total of $89,670 for a series of illegal hits, including violations in three other games—Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins and Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs.[90] One day later (October 24), Jackson's suspension was reduced to two games following an appeal hearing.[91] [50]
On November 20, in his first game back from suspension, Jackson was hit with another four-game suspension for lowering his helmet on Minnesota Vikings' quarterback Joshua Dobbs during the Broncos' Week 11 win over the Vikings. Jackson was not flagged for the hit, and he unsuccessfully appealed the suspension.[92]
After he was a healthy scratch for the team's Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots, Jackson was waived on December 25 following a roster exemption, and was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans the following day.[93]
| Trade partner | Broncos give | Broncos receive | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 seventh-round selection | [94] | |||
| TE Albert Okwuegbunam 2025 seventh-round selection | 2025 sixth-round selection | |||
| LB Randy Gregory 2024 seventh-round selection | 2024 sixth-round selection | [95] |
| Position | Player | Time & type of injury | Games missed | Source(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| recovery from off-season knee surgery | PUP list, Weeks 1–6 | [96] | |||
| LB | hip, Week 1 | Weeks 2–4 | [97] [98] [99] [100] | ||
| hamstring, Week 2 | injured reserve, Weeks 2–5 | [101] [102] | |||
| hamstring, Week 6 | season-ending injured reserve, starting with Week 7 | ||||
| LB | ruptured ACL, preseason workouts | injured reserve, missed the entire 2023 season | [103] | ||
| NFI list, preseason designated as waived/NFI on July 31 | [104] [105] | ||||
| WR | recovery from off-season knee surgery | PUP list, July 28 activated on July 28 | |||
| WR | hamstring, preseason | Week 1 | [106] | ||
| WR | hamstring, October 26 practice | injured reserve, Weeks 8–12 | [107] [108] | ||
| dislocated toe, preseason | injured reserve, Weeks 1–4 | [109] | |||
| ankle, Week 11 | Week 12 | [110] | |||
| ribs, Week 17 | season-ending injured reserve, Week 18 | ||||
| T | hand, preseason | injured reserve, Weeks 1–17 | [111] | ||
| WR | ruptured Achilles tendon, preseason workouts | injured reserve, missed the entire 2023 season | |||
| NFI list, preseason | |||||
| S | hip, Week 2 | Weeks 3–4 | |||
| S | ruptured patella tendon, Week 1 | season-ending injured reserve, starting with Week 2 | |||
| WR | concussion, Week 16 | Week 17 | [112] | ||
| S | ruptured ACL, Week 17 | season-ending injured reserve, Week 18 | [113] | ||
| WR | ruptured meniscus, preseason Week 2 | injured reserve, missed the entire 2023 season | |||
| RB | hip flexor, Week 4 | Week 5 | [114] [115] | ||
| ankle, preseason | injured reserve, missed the entire 2023 season | [116] | |||
| 2023 Denver Broncos standard elevations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Name | Week(s) | Source(s) | |
| 17 | [117] | |||
| 14 | [118] | |||
| 13, 15, 16 | [119] | |||
| WR | 1 | [120] | ||
| WR | 1, 6, 7 | |||
| 18 | ||||
| 10, 13, 14 | [121] | |||
| 6, 12, 15 | [122] | |||
| 4 | [123] | |||
| LB | 16, 17 | |||
| WR | 8 | |||
| WR | 10, 11, 12 | [124] | ||
| RB | 2, 3, 4 | [125] |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | at Arizona Cardinals | L 17–18 | 0–1 | State Farm Stadium | Recap | ||
| 2 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 20–21 | 0–2 | Levi's Stadium | Recap | ||
| 3 | Los Angeles Rams | W 41–0 | 1–2 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 10 | Las Vegas Raiders | L 16–17 | 0–1 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap | |
| 2 | September 17 | Washington Commanders | L 33–35 | 0–2 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap | |
| 3 | September 24 | at Miami Dolphins | L 20–70 | 0–3 | Hard Rock Stadium | Recap | |
| 4 | October 1 | at Chicago Bears | W 31–28 | 1–3 | Soldier Field | Recap | |
| 5 | October 8 | New York Jets | L 21–31 | 1–4 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap | |
| 6 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 8–19 | 1–5 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap | ||
| 7 | October 22 | Green Bay Packers | W 19–17 | 2–5 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap | |
| 8 | October 29 | Kansas City Chiefs | W 24–9 | 3–5 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap | |
| 9 | Bye | ||||||
| 10 | at Buffalo Bills | W 24–22 | 4–5 | Highmark Stadium | Recap | ||
| 11 | November 19 | Minnesota Vikings | W 21–20 | 5–5 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap | |
| 12 | November 26 | Cleveland Browns | W 29–12 | 6–5 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap | |
| 13 | December 3 | at Houston Texans | L 17–22 | 6–6 | NRG Stadium | Recap | |
| 14 | December 10 | at Los Angeles Chargers | W 24–7 | 7–6 | SoFi Stadium | Recap | |
| 15 | at Detroit Lions | L 17–42 | 7–7 | Ford Field | Recap | ||
| 16 | December 24 | New England Patriots | L 23–26 | 7–8 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap | |
| 17 | December 31 | Los Angeles Chargers | W 16–9 | 8–8 | Empower Field at Mile High | Recap | |
| 18 | January 7 | at Las Vegas Raiders | L 14–27 | 8–9 | Allegiant Stadium | Recap | |
The Broncos kicked off the 2023 season against their AFC West division rival Las Vegas Raiders. This marked Sean Payton's debut as the Broncos' head coach. The Raiders grabbed the early lead on their initial possession, with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo connecting on a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. The Broncos responded on their first possession, with a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Russell Wilson to wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey. However, placekicker Wil Lutz missed wide-right on the extra point attempt — a miscue that would prove to be critical to the game's outcome. A 24-yard field goal by placekicker Daniel Carlson gave the Raiders a 10–6 lead early in the second quarter. The Broncos took their first just lead before halftime, with Wilson's second touchdown pass of the first half — a 5-yarder to wide receiver Courtland Sutton.[126]
Lutz missed wide right on a 55-yard field goal attempt on the initial possession of the second half. The Raiders then marched down the field and faced a 3rd-and-goal from the Broncos' 6-yard line. However, Garoppolo was intercepted by safety Kareem Jackson in the end zone for a touchback, late in the third quarter. The Broncos then had a first-and-goal from the Raiders' 8-yard line; however, they failed to score a touchdown, and instead, settled for a 24-yard field goal by Lutz midway through the fourth quarter. The Raiders took a 17–16 lead six plays later, with another touchdown pass from Garoppolo to Meyers — from 6 yards out. The Broncos went three-and-out, and were forced to punt. The Raiders faced a 3rd-and-8 from their own 44-yard line with exactly three minutes left in the game. Meyers was stopped one yard short of a first down on a pass completion from Garoppolo; however, Jackson was flagged for an unnecessary roughness flag for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Meyers, giving the Raiders a first down. The Broncos' defense was unable to stop Garoppolo from scrambling for a game-clinching 8-yard first down run.[126]
The Broncos took a 21–3 lead over the Commanders with touchdowns on each of their first three possessions, consisting of a 5-yard touchdown run by running back Jaleel McLaughlin and two touchdown passes from quarterback Russell Wilson — a 60-yarder to wide receiver Marvin Mims and a 16-yarder to wide receiver Brandon Johnson. However, the Broncos' offense would sputter for the remainder of the game and their defense was unable to stop the Commanders. After Wilson was strip-sacked by linebacker Jamin Davis, the momentum shifted to the Commanders. Quarterback Sam Howell connected on a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Logan Thomas on a 4th-and-goal, with a two-point conversion that was initially ruled unsuccessful, but overturned by review. The Broncos' lead was narrowed to 21–14 just before halftime, with a 49-yard field goal by Commanders' placekicker Joey Slye, who missed from 49 and made from 44 in the first quarter.[127]
After a Broncos' three-and-out to start the second half, the Commanders tied the game at 21–21, with Howell throwing a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Following an interception of Russell, Slye missed wide-right on a 59-yard field goal attempt. The Broncos reached the red zone on the ensuing possession, but were forced to settle for a 31-yard field goal by placekicker Wil Lutz. The Commanders took their first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter, with running back Brian Robinson Jr. rushing for a 2-yard touchdown, then added to their lead, with another rushing touchdown by Robinson — a 15-yarder midway through the fourth quarter. After being outscored 32–3 since early in the second quarter, the Broncos found themselves trailing 35–24. A 32-yard field goal by Lutz on the first play after the two-minute warning pulled the Broncos to a 35–27 deficit. After burning all of their team timeouts and forcing a Commanders' punt, the Broncos had one last possession at their own 13-yard line and with 48 seconds remaining. With 3 seconds remaining, Wilson heaved a desperation hail mary pass that was caught by Johnson for a touchdown. The Broncos needed a two-point conversion to send the game to overtime. However, Wilson's pass that was intended for wide receiver Courtland Sutton fell incomplete.[127]
The Broncos were overwhelmed by the Dolphins, in an embarrassing 70–20 loss. The Broncos' defense surrendered franchise worsts in points (70), yards (726) and overall touchdowns in one game (10), and tied a franchise record for rushing touchdowns in one game (5). The 50-point loss was the third-worst margin of defeat in Broncos' franchise history, behind a 59–7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963 and a 51–0 loss to the Oakland Raiders in 1967. Dolphins' quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for four touchdowns, with most of the help coming from running backs Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane, who each combined for eight of the ten total touchdowns. Broncos' quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 306 yards and only one touchdown, while wide receiver Marvin Mims returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.[128]
The 70 points scored by the Dolphins was tied for the second-most in a single game in NFL history, only trailing a 72-point output by the Washington Redskins in 1966.[129]
The Broncos took the early lead over the Bears on their initial possession, with quarterback Russell Wilson connecting on an 18-yard touchdown pass with running back Jaleel McLaughlin. The Broncos' offense would then sputter, failing to advance past their own 44-yard line on their next four possessions, and the Bears reeled off 28 unanswered points. The Broncos' defense yielded four touchdown passes to Bears' quarterback Justin Fields—two to tight end Cole Kmet, and one apiece to wide receiver D. J. Moore and running back Khalil Herbert. The Broncos trailed 28–7 with 4:10 remaining in the third quarter, but proceeded to score the final 24 points of the game. Wilson threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Johnson near the end of the third quarter, followed in the fourth quarter by a 13-yarder to wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Then the Broncos' defense came up with a crucial turnover, with linebacker Nik Bonitto forcing a strip sack and fumble off Fields, and linebacker Jonathon Cooper returning the fumble 42 yards for a game-tying touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. The Bears then marched down the field, and faced a 4th-and-1 at the Broncos' 18-yard line with 2:57 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, instead of a go-ahead field goal, the Bears decided to go for a first-down, but turned the football over on downs when Fields was tackled for no gain by linebacker Alex Singleton. Five plays later, a 51-yard field goal by placekicker Wil Lutz put the Broncos ahead to stay with 1:51 remaining in the game. The Bears attempted a rally, but after reaching their own 47-yard line, Fields was intercepted by safety Kareem Jackson for the Broncos' first win of the season.[130] .
Following a 30-yard field goal by Jets' placekicker Greg Zuerlein, the Broncos grabbed the lead, with a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Russell Wilson to running back Jaleel McLaughlin. On the Broncos' next possession, Wilson was penalized for intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety. The Broncos led 13–8 at halftime, after two short field goals by placekicker Wil Lutz—from 22 and 23 yards out, with a 26-yard field goal by Zuerlein in between. After the Broncos went three-and-out to start the second half, Jets' running back Breece Hall ran for a 72-yard touchdown—the first of 16 unanswered Jets points. Zuerlein added three more field goals—a 27-yarder in the third quarter, followed by 27- and 49-yarders in the fourth quarter. The Broncos trailed 24–13 midway through the fourth quarter, after two punts and a lost fumble in Jets' territory. A 3-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to tight end Adam Trautman, coupled with a successful two-point conversion by fullback Michael Burton, pulled the Broncos to within a 24–21 deficit with 4:48 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Jets were attempting to run out the clock, and faced a 3rd-and-5 at the Broncos' 27-yard line; however, quarterback Zach Wilson was intercepted by cornerback Patrick Surtain II near the goal line. With 2:14 remaining in the game, the Broncos attempted a rally, but Russell Wilson was strip-sacked by Jets' defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, and cornerback Bryce Hall returned the fumble 39 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.[131]
The Broncos' defense limited Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes to one touchdown pass and four field goals by placekicker Harrison Butker, but the defensive effort was wasted by a poor performance by the offense. Quarterback Russell Wilson completed 13 of 22 passes for only 95 yards, and the Broncos trailed 16–0 at the 9:22 mark of the fourth quarter. Wilson finally got the Broncos on the scoreboard, with a 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton that was initially ruled as an incomplete pass, but overturned by a booth review. The subsequent two-point conversion by running back Javonte Williams pulled the Broncos to within a 16–8 deficit with six minutes remaining in the game. However, Butker's fourth field goal of the game—a 52-yarder at the two-minute warning, put the game out of reach. It was the Chiefs' 16th consecutive win over the Broncos—a streak that ended two weeks later in Denver.[132]
Midway through the third quarter, all of the scoring came by way of the placekickers—three field goals by the Broncos' Wil Lutz, and one by the Packers' Anders Carlson. The Broncos increased their lead to 16–3, with the game's first touchdown—an 18-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson to wide receiver Courtland Sutton. However, the Packers' responded, with two touchdown passes by quarterback Jordan Love—a 16-yarder to wide receiver Romeo Doubs, followed by a 4-yarder to wide receiver Jayden Reed that gave the Packers a 17–16 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Nine plays later, the Broncos re-claimed the lead, with Lutz's fourth field goal of the game—a 52-yarder with 3:54 remaining in the game. The Packers attempted a rally, but Love was intercepted by safety P. J. Locke deep in Broncos' territory. The Broncos then ran out the clock.[133]
The Broncos' defense forced five turnovers—three fumbles and two interceptions off Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and limited the Chiefs' offense to three field goals—all in the first half—in a 24–9 win. It was the first time since Week 13 of the 2021 season (also against the Broncos) in which Mahomes did not throw a touchdown pass. Broncos' quarterback Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes—one apiece to running back Javonte Williams and wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. The Broncos held a 14–9 lead early in the fourth quarter, and after Chiefs' return specialist Mecole Hardman muffed a punt, Wilson threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Sutton and placekicker Wil Lutz later capped the scoring off with a 28-yard field goal with only 31 seconds remaining. With the win, the Broncos snapped a 16-game losing streak to the Chiefs, dating back to 2015.[134]
The Broncos' defense forced two turnovers off the Bills' first two possessions—a fumble and an interception off quarterback Josh Allen, but only got one scoring a play—a 40-yard field goal by placekicker Wil Lutz. The Broncos added to their lead midway through the second quarter, with quarterback Russell Wilson completing a pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton along the side of the end zone that was initially ruled an incomplete pass, but ruled a touchdown after instant replay revealed that Sutton dragged his toes in bounds. However, Lutz hit the left upright on the extra point attempt. The Bills responded, and got on the scoreboard, with Allen connecting on a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dalton Kincaid, with a successful two-point conversion. Lutz added two more field goals—from 49 and 40 yards out, to give the Broncos a 15–8 halftime lead. The latter field goal occurred after another interception of Allen. After an exchange of punts to start the second half, Sutton lost a fumble at the Bills' 45-yard line, and the Bills capitalized, with running back Latavius Murray rushing for a 3-yard touchdown to tie the game midway through the third quarter. After a pair of punt exchanges, the Broncos reclaimed the lead with 5:10 remaining in the game. Wilson connected with running back Javonte Williams for a 3-yard touchdown pass. However, the extra point attempt was botched, leaving the score at 21–15. The Bills then drove down the field, and on the first play after the two-minute warning, Allen scrambled for a 6-yard touchdown run to give the Bills their first lead of the game.[135]
Wilson engineered a comeback that was aided by two crucial penalties on Buffalo. First, the Broncos faced a 3rd-and-10 from the Bills' 45-yard line with 35 seconds left. A pass attempt intended for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was incomplete, but pass interference was called on Bills' cornerback Taron Johnson at the 17-yard line. Following a quick kneel down, and without any timeouts, the Broncos rushed their field goal unit onto the field. Lutz missed the 41-yard attempt wide right; however, the Bills were flagged for having 12 men on the field, giving Lutz a second chance with only four seconds left. Lutz then redeemed himself—kicking the game-winning 36-yard field goal as time expired.[135]
The Broncos' offense struggled for most of the game, settling for five field goals by placekicker Wil Lutz through the early portion of the fourth quarter. Each field goal, for the exception of a 52-yarder just before halftime, was the result of the Broncos failing to score a touchdown in the red zone, and three of those field goals occurred after Vikings' turnovers. Defensively, the Broncos yielded two touchdowns to Vikings' quarterback Joshua Dobbs—one passing and one rushing, as well as two field goals by placekicker Greg Joseph. The Broncos trailed 20–15 with 3:20 remaining in the game, when quarterback Russell Wilson engineered a game-winning drive for the second consecutive game—a 10-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton in the back of the end zone, with an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt. The Vikings had one last possession with 1:03 remaining in the game, hoping to reach field goal range. However, after earning one first down at their own 36-yard line, and burning two timeouts in the process, Dobbs threw four consecutive incomplete passes, including a 15-yard intentional grounding penalty on 3rd down, ending the Vikings' rally attempt. With the win, the Broncos earned their first four-game winning streak since 2016.[136]
After achieving only one rushing touchdown the entire season, the Broncos jumped out to a 14–0 lead on a pair of rushing touchdowns—a 3-yarder by running back Samaje Perine in the first quarter, followed in the second quarter by a 2-yarder by quarterback Russell Wilson. The Browns then scored 12 unanswered points—two field goals by placekicker Dustin Hopkins late in the second quarter, followed by a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to tight end Harrison Bryant midway through the third quarter. Wide receiver Amari Cooper dropped what would have been the game-tying two point conversion in the end zone. However, the Broncos' defense held the Browns scoreless for the remainder of the game, and the Broncos added 15 more points—two short field goals by placekicker Wil Lutz, an 8-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to tight end Adam Trautman, and Broncos defensive end Zach Allen sacked Browns' backup quarterback P. J. Walker in the end zone for a safety. With the win, the Broncos earned their first five-game winning streak since their 2015 Super Bowl-winning season.[137]
The Broncos' offense struggled throughout the first three quarters of the game, only managing a 34-yard field goal by placekicker Wil Lutz late in the second quarter. The Broncos failed to advance past midfield on 6 of their first 7 possessions, excluding a kneel down just before halftime. The Broncos trailed 16–3 after three field goals by Texans' placekicker Matt Ammendola and a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Dameon Pierce. The latter occurred after a personal foul on Broncos' linebacker Alex Singleton on Texans' quarterback C. J. Stroud negated a false start on 4th-and-goal. The Broncos finally reached the end zone late in the third quarter, with quarterback Russell Wilson connecting on a 45-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton. After forcing a Texans' punt, Wilson was intercepted by cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. deep in Broncos' territory, giving the Texans a short field. The Texans took advantage of the turnover and added to their lead, with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to wide receiver Nico Collins on the second play of the fourth quarter, with an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt. The Broncos responded, with a 5-play, 75-yard drive, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run by Wilson to narrow the Texans' lead to 22–17. After forcing a Texans' punt, Wilson was intercepted again by Stingley, this one at the Texans' 27-yard line. After forcing one more Texans' punt, the Broncos had one more possession at their own 20-yard line at the 4:36 mark of the fourth quarter. With only 23 seconds remaining and no timeouts, the Broncos faced a 1st-and-goal at the Texans' 8-yard line after two successful 4th-down conversions. However, after two incomplete passes, Wilson's pass intended for tight end Lucas Krull was intercepted by Texans' safety Jimmie Ward in the end zone for a touchback.[138]
The Broncos' defense dominated the game, holding the Chargers to 0-for-12 on 3rd down and 1-of-6 on 4th down with two turnovers. The Chargers were unable to take advantage of an early interception of Russell Wilson deep in Broncos' territory, failing on a 4th-and-3 instead of kicking a field goal at the 6-yard line. The Broncos took advantage of an interception of Chargers' quarterback Justin Herbert, with a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Javonte Williams, and added a 23-yard field goal by placekicker Wil Lutz just before halftime. Herbert exited the game in the second quarter with a finger injury, and was replaced by backup quarterback Easton Stick for the remainder of the game. The Broncos added to their lead in the third quarter, with Wilson connecting on a 46-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton. After a 3-yard touchdown run by Chargers' running back Austin Ekeler narrowed the Broncos' lead to 17–7 early in the fourth quarter, the Broncos put the game out of reach, with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to tight end Adam Trautman. With the win, the Broncos snapped an 11-game road losing streak against their AFC West opponents. [139]
The Broncos' offense struggled in the first half and never recovered from a 21–0 halftime deficit, in a 42–17 loss to the Lions. The Broncos' defense surrendered five touchdown passes to Lions' quarterback Jared Goff and one rushing touchdown to running back Jahmyr Gibbs. On the offensive side of the football, quarterback Russell Wilson threw for one touchdown and ran for another, and placekicker Wil Lutz added a 23-yard field goal, but the Broncos never got any closer than an 18-point deficit in the second half.[140]
All three of the Broncos' first three possessions started in Patriots' territory—at the 6-, 46- and 25-yard lines; however, the Broncos were only able to achieve one scoring play—a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Javonte Williams. After forcing a strip sack and fumble off Patriots' quarterback Bailey Zappe on the game's first play from scrimmage, the Broncos failed to capitalize on a 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line and only gained four yards after starting at the 46-yard line. After a 33-yard field goal by Patriots' placekicker Chad Ryland early in the second quarter, the Broncos reached the Patriots' 38-yard line, only for Williams to commit a fumble, ending the drive. Both placekickers—Ryland and the Broncos' Wil Lutz, missed long field goal attempts after the two-minute warning, leaving the score at 7–3 in favor of the Broncos at halftime. In the third quarter, the Broncos' offense struggled, with quarterback Russell Wilson being sacked four times, the defense surrendered 20 unanswered points. First, Zappe connected on two touchdown passes—a 15-yarder to running back Ezekiel Elliott (with a missed extra point attempt), followed by an 11-yarder to tight end Mike Gesicki. The Broncos were victimized by a disastrous play on the kickoff following the latter touchdown, as return specialist Marvin Mims fumbled near the goal line, and safety Cody Davis scooped up the football for a 1-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a 23–7 lead. After a poor offensive performance for most of the game, Wilson threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter—a 3-yarder to tight end Lucas Krull, followed by a 21-yarder to wide receiver Brandon Johnson—both with successful two-point conversions, to tie the game at 23–23 with only three minutes remaining in the game. After forcing a Patriots' punt, the Broncos' offense went three-and-out, giving the Patriots the football at their own 19-yard line with 58 seconds remaining in the game. However, after the Broncos called two timeouts on defense, the Patriots marched down the field, culminating in a 56-yard game-winning field goal by Ryland in the final seconds.[141]
Each placekicker exchanged field goals—a 32-yarder by the Broncos' Wil Lutz in the first quarter, followed in the second quarter by a 36-yarder by the Chargers' Cameron Dicker. Broncos' backup quarter Jarrett Stidham, playing in place of the benched Russell Wilson, connected on a 54-yard pass to wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey for the game's only touchdown. Lutz added a 43-yard field goal just after the two-minute warning, but missed wide-right on a 48-yard attempt in the final seconds of the first half, for a 13–3 Broncos' halftime lead. A 50-yard field goal by Dicker was the only scoring play of the third quarter, and Lutz countered with a 20-yarder early in the fourth quarter. A 52-yard field goal by Dicker narrowed the Broncos' lead to 13–6 with only 1:21 remaining in the game. The Chargers' onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, sealing the Broncos' win, and their first season sweep of the Chargers since 2019. However, the Broncos were eliminated from postseason contention after the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs all won their respective games which extends their playoff drought to eight seasons dating to 2016.[142]
In the Broncos' season finale, the Raiders took the early lead, with wide receiver Jakobi Meyers running for a 5-yard touchdown. The Broncos reponded early in the second quarter, with quarterback Jarrett Stidham connecting on a 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. The Raiders then scored 17 unanswered points, starting with a 49-yard field goal by placekicker Daniel Carlson and a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Aidan O'Connell to wide receiver Davante Adams before halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, O'Connell connected on a 33-yard touchdown pass to Meyers, for a 24–7 Raiders' lead. The Broncos' offense struggled after their initial scoring play, failing to advance past midfield on three possessions (excluding a kneel down before halftime), and turning the football over on down at the Raiders' 36-yard line on a 4th-and-3. The Broncos narrowed the Raiders' lead at the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter, with running back Javonte Williams rushing for a 2-yard touchdown on a direct snap. However, the Broncos' defense was unable to prevent the Raiders from going on a 15-play, 72-yard drive that devoured nearly eight minutes, culminating in a 21-yard field goal by Carlson with 2:23 remaining in the game. The Broncos attempted a rally, but six plays into their final possession, Stidham was intercepted at the Raiders' 18-yard line with only one minute remaining in the game.[143]
| Category | Player(s) | Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | 3,070 | ||
| Passing touchdowns | Russell Wilson | 26 | |
| Rushing yards | 774 | ||
| Rushing touchdowns | Russell Wilson Javonte Williams | 3 | |
| Receptions | 59 | ||
| Receiving yards | Courtland Sutton | 772 | |
| Receiving touchdowns | Courtland Sutton | 10 | |
| Points | 119 | ||
| Kickoff return yards | 397 | ||
| Punt return yards | Marvin Mims | 312 | |
| Tackles | 177 | ||
| Sacks | 8.5 | ||
| Forced fumbles | 3 | ||
| Interceptions | 3 |
|
|
|
| Recipient | Award(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Week 8: AFC Defensive Player of the Week[144] | ||
| Week 10: AFC Special Teams Player of the Week[145] | ||
| November: AFC Special Teams Player of the Month[146] |
On January 3, 2024, cornerback Patrick Surtain II, safety Justin Simmons and return specialist Marvin Mims were named starters for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.[147] On January 9, fullback Michael Burton was named as a PFF first-team All-Pro selection,[148] and one day later (January 10), Surtain was selected to the second annual NFLPA Players' All-Pro team.[149] On January 12, Mims and Simmons were selected as second-team All-Pros.[150]