The Denver Broncos have made discernible progress each year since Sean Payton took over as head coach. Prior to Payton’s arrival in 2022, the team went 5–12, with the 12 defeats tying for the most in franchise history. But in Payton’s debut in Denver in 2023, the team improved to 8–9 before going 10–7 with a Wild Card appearance in 2024. Last year, the Broncos took another step in going 14–3, winning their divisional round game and advancing to the AFC Championship Game, where they fell to the New England Patriots.
Following this linear path, the next step for Denver is making its ninth Super Bowl appearance, which would trail just the Patriots (12) for the most by any franchise in NFL history. One Broncos receiver, in particular, doesn’t just think or want the team to reach The Big Game, but he’s gone on record in saying he expects Denver to be playing for the Lombardi Trophy next February.
Wideout Marvin Mims Jr. is entering his fourth year with the team, so he’s been a part of the team’s progression. He’s performed a number of roles for Denver outside of receiver—he’s also a two-time All-Pro as a returner, and has even rushed 34 times for 150 yards and 1 touchdown in his career. He talked about his role within the Broncos offense and what his outlook is for the team in 2026.
“For me, it’s just answering the door when the bell is rung,” Mims said at a community event on Friday. “I feel like I’ve done that pretty well the past three years, but when I get my opportunities, make the most of it. Be a good teammate, assist the team in however many ways we want.
“This year, the team we have, the roster we have, how far we went last year, we’re all expecting a Super Bowl this year. We want to go far, and so I’m gonna do my best to help this team win.”
Part of Mims’s confidence that the Broncos can win the AFC Title Game in 2026 instead of simply making an appearance there is the acquisition of fellow receiver Jaylen Waddle. The Broncos traded for the three-time 1,000-yard wideout in March, giving up a first-round draft pick in the process. Waddle would, assumedly, take away some opportunities from Mims, but the latter is putting the team ahead of any individual opportunities as the passing game, and offense as a whole, was the biggest weakness for Denver last year.
The 2025 Broncos ranked second in yards allowed and third in points allowed. Their 68 defensive sacks led the NFL and are the fifth-most in a single season in NFL history. However, Denver’s offense couldn’t keep pace with the team’s defense, as the former was middle-of-the-pack, ranking 14th in scoring and 16th in passing yards.
Enter Waddle, whose 5,039 receiving yards are the 10th-most by any receiver since he entered the league in 2021. He’s also a big-play threat whose 13.5 yards per reception are 10th-most among active players (min. 300 catches).
Waddle is someone that Payton, quarterback Bo Nix, and new offensive coordinator Davis Webb will want to feature in a new-look offense. That could come at the expense of Mims, who just happens to be in a contract year. He knows his role could change, but just how big, or little, of a factor he’ll be in the 2026 Broncos is still unknown to him.
“We’ll see,” Mims responded when asked about his role. “Things are going to change offensively, for sure, with Davis Webb being there. Me, for the past three years, I’ve done a little bit of everything. We’ll see what we come up with this season. Luckily, I’m able to do stuff on special teams as well.
“One thing I’ve taken pride in the past three years is just making an impact on the team however I can. Different moments of the game, wherever we need, I feel like I always try my best and try to get the job done, try to do my best.”
Last year, Mims had 37 catches for 322 yards, ranking third among Broncos wideouts in receptions. He trailed Pro Bowler Courtland Sutton (74) and Troy Franklin (65), who has a long-standing rapport with Nix as they were teammates at Oregon. Waddle’s arrival knocks Mims even lower down the wideout hierarchy, but if his expectation comes true, then it would be worth it.
Even with Waddle’s arrival, the most important component of Denver’s offense remains the quarterback in Nix. An injury kept him from playing in last season’s AFC Championship Game loss, but Payton recently said that Nix should be good to go by July after offseason surgery.
Nix is entering his third NFL season, and there is a lengthy list of quarterbacks who broke through and won a Super Bowl in their third seasons. That list includes Roger Staubach, Joe Montana, and fellow AFC West QB Patrick Mahomes.
