The Broncos have endured a nine-season Super Bowl drought - The Broncos and the Race to Escape the Darkness After Manning

No sporting event can match the Super Bowl. It’s the biggest annual event in sports, and frankly, in culture. Television ratings don’t lie on that front. Of course, if you win the Super Bowl, you are also NFL champs. If you don’t win a Super Bowl for a while, you have a proper title drought. Here is a look at the title droughts for every NFL team, from the ones that aren’t really droughts to the major droughts. One note: some teams won titles before the Super Bowl was established, and we factored those into the drought lengths as well.

Denver Broncos - nine seasons

Peyton Manning closed his career with a win in the 50th Super Bowl. He had to be carried to that Super Bowl by the coaching staff and the Broncos’ defense, but it gave the team its third title. Things seem to be percolating under Sean Payton, but the Broncos are close to a decade-long run without a title, which feels like a proper drought.

Super Bowl 50 was a fitting curtain call for Peyton Manning, even if his arm wasn’t what it used to be. That Broncos team was a defensive juggernaut, with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware leading a unit that practically dragged the offense across the finish line. It was a gritty, old-school kind of championship, and it capped off Denver’s third Lombardi Trophy.

Since then, though? It’s been a long, dry spell. The Broncos went nearly a decade without even making the playoffs until Sean Payton arrived and helped end that drought last season. Now, with Bo Nix showing promise at quarterback and Payton building a roster with youth, trench strength, and a culture-first mentality, there’s a real sense of momentum in Denver.

Payton’s not shy about his ambitions either—he’s openly said this is his seventh team he believes can win a Super Bowl. That kind of confidence, paired with a revamped roster and a fresh offensive identity, has fans cautiously optimistic. But in a division ruled by the Chiefs for nearly a decade, optimism alone won’t cut it.

The Broncos are betting on him to finally dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC West

Bo Nix has quickly emerged as a promising franchise quarterback for the Denver Broncos, injecting new life into a team that has long searched for stability under center. After years of post-Manning uncertainty, Nix’s arrival marked a turning point. His rookie season showcased not only impressive statistics—nearly 3,800 passing yards and 29 touchdowns—but also poise, leadership, and adaptability beyond his years. He demonstrated dual-threat capability, extending plays with his legs and making smart decisions under pressure.

What sets Nix apart is his maturity and football IQ, traits that resonate strongly with head coach Sean Payton’s system. Payton, known for developing quarterbacks, has built a scheme that complements Nix’s strengths: quick reads, accurate throws, and mobility. The Broncos’ offense has become more dynamic, and their playoff return signals a shift in trajectory.

While challenges remain—especially in a division dominated by Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs—Nix’s development offers hope. If he continues to grow and the team builds around him, Denver could be on the cusp of a new era. In a league where quarterback play defines success, Bo Nix has the tools, mindset, and support to become the cornerstone of the Broncos’ future. The franchise may finally have found its long-awaited answer.