{"id":224399,"date":"2025-07-21T11:27:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T11:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/224399\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T11:27:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T11:27:13","slug":"sean-payton-is-about-to-experience-the-pressure-cooker-in-denver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/224399\/","title":{"rendered":"Sean Payton is about to experience the pressure cooker in Denver"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time in a long time, the Broncos enter a season with expectations. The team isn\u2019t hoping to be good. Fans are talking themselves into believing in a pipe dream. And the media isn\u2019t falling for the latest spin job coming out of HQ.<\/p>\n

This time, it\u2019s real. The Broncos enter the 2025 campaign with lofty expectations.<\/p>\n

A year ago, Denver ended it\u2019s eight-year playoff drought, while also snapping a seven-season stretch of losing seasons. They finished 10-7, earned the No. 7 seed in the AFC and made a postseason appearance for the first time since Super Bowl 50.<\/p>\n

In the offseason, they plugged holes on both sides of the ball, adding skill position players on offense and playmakers on defense. As a result, there is no reason to believe the Broncos won\u2019t be better this season. There\u2019s talk of competing for the AFC West, a division dominated by the Chiefs for nearly a decade. And some are even whispering about Super Bowl aspirations.<\/p>\n

But free-agent signings and savvy draft picks aren\u2019t what\u2019s really driving the hype train. People are bullish on the Broncos because of two people, both of whom are back for another season in orange and blue.<\/p>\n

Sean Payton enters his third season as the Broncos head coach. After going 8-9 during his first campaign, last year\u2019s playoff season demonstrated why the Super Bowl-winning head coach was coaxed away from a cushy TV gig with a five-year, $90-million contract. Say what you will about Payton, the guy knows how to build a winning football team.<\/p>\n

Bo Nix will be looking to build upon a dazzling rookie season. Denver\u2019s quarterback started all 17 games during his first year in the NFL, throwing for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns<\/a>. He also made a ton of plays with his feet, rushing for 430 yards and four touchdowns. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was better than advertised, improving on a weekly basis to become a legit NFL starter.<\/p>\n

Having a head coach and QB in place leads to expectations. The Broncos aren\u2019t trying to convince anyone that Vance Joseph, Vic Fangio or Nathaniel Hackett are ready to lead the team to great heights. And they aren\u2019t under the delusion that Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Joe Flacco, Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater have championship mettle.<\/p>\n

Payton is legit. Nix is the real deal.<\/p>\n

And now, the pressure is on both of them. This season, both men are expected to be even better.<\/p>\n

That shouldn\u2019t be hard for Nix. After all, the quarterback got better as his rookie season went along; the upward trajectory should continue. Talk of a \u201csophomore slump\u201d is overrated<\/a>; with better talent around him (Evan Engram at tight end and J.K. Dobbins in the backfield), a 4,000-yard, 30-touchdown season seems well within Nix\u2019s grasp.<\/p>\n

Should he fail to reach those milestones, it\u2019ll be disappointing. But Nix won\u2019t get all of the blame. That\u2019s why he\u2019s under the second-most pressure.<\/p>\n

If the quarterback struggles, or if the team recedes, most fingers of blame will be pointed at Payton. He\u2019ll be the one being asked the tough questions. The head coach will be the one under fire. And for good reason.<\/p>\n

At this point, Payton has gotten everything that he\u2019s wanted. Everything that he\u2019s asked for has been provided.<\/p>\n

The coach didn\u2019t want to work with Russell Wilson. No problem. The Broncos ate $85 million in dead cap and sent the quarterback packing.<\/p>\n

Payton wanted his handpicked QB. No problem. Denver drafted Nix higher than most people projected, gambling on the sixth quarterback taken in the draft.<\/p>\n

Need more playmakers? No problem. The Broncos signed Engram, Dobbins, Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga. They also drafted Jahdae Barron, R.J. Harvey and Pat Bryant. They upgraded at running back, tight end, middle linebacker and safety. They added a stellar corner to play opposite the NFL\u2019s reigning Defensive Player of the Year. They brought in youth for the backfield and at wideout.<\/p>\n

Everything Payton could want and\/or need, the head coach has been given. As a result, there are no excuses if the Broncos fail to live up to expectations.<\/p>\n

During his first two seasons, Payton has done a great job of righting the ship in Denver. He inherited a team that went 5-12 and has managed to go 18-17, including a playoff loss, thus far.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a good start. But it\u2019s far from gaudy. So the 2025 season is a tipping point for Payton.<\/p>\n

If the Broncos live up to expectations, he\u2019ll go down as a great hire by Greg Penner. Another season with double-digit wins, a playoff appearance and perhaps a division title will account for one of the best turnaround jobs in recent NFL history.<\/p>\n

But if Denver regresses, it\u2019ll raise some interesting questions. It might even put Payton on the hot seat.<\/p>\n

Last year, the Broncos beat up on a lot of bad teams. They benefitted from playing the AFC South and NFC South, getting eight of their 10 wins against non-playoff opponents. With a tougher slate this year, it\u2019s not outside the realm of possibilities that the Broncos take a step backwards.<\/p>\n

If they go 8-9, as an example, it wouldn\u2019t be a disastrous season. But it would put Payton at 26-26 after three seasons. That\u2019s the definition of mediocre, 60 percent of the way through his contract with the Broncos.<\/p>\n

It\u2019ll lead people to wonder if the game has passed him by. It\u2019ll generate questions about whether or not he found his QB. It\u2019ll cause some to ask what Payton needs in order to win, if he can\u2019t do it with his preferred quarterback, a great defense and an ownership group that provides him with every tool needed.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why the pressure is on Payton in 2025. There\u2019s no one else to blame things on if things don\u2019t work out. Russ has left the building. His fingerprints are all over the roster, meaning he can\u2019t explain away the crime scene if this version of the Broncos fail to live up to the hype.<\/p>\n

For the first time in a decade, there are expectations in Denver. That\u2019s a great thing. It\u2019s an exciting thing. It\u2019s a fun thing.<\/p>\n

But for those who may have forgotten, or are perhaps new to the Mile High City, that creates a pressure cooker. Here\u2019s hoping Bo Nix and Sean Payton are ready for the challenge.<\/p>\n

Follow @jamesmerilatt<\/a><\/p>\n

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