Broncos head coach Sean Payton says Denver can’t be afraid of big goals

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton met with the media on Thursday, one week before the 2025 NFL Draft.

And while we heard the usual things, like the Broncos could trade up or could trade back, there was a pretty revealing quote from Payton.

He was asked a question using a golf analogy, about slowly chipping toward the green or just hitting a driver and getting there as quick as possible.

Coming off a 10-7 season, essentially the meaning was how fast can the Broncos really put their foot on the gas and become a Super Bowl contender? Payton gave a solid answer, even if it was brief by his standards.

“We can’t be afraid of talking about our goals and where we see this team. Especially coming out of free agency,” Payton said.

The Broncos addressed inside linebacker, safety and tight end in free agency, three positions of need. If Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga and Evan Engram can all fill big holes and stay healthy, maybe Denver’s record can jump to something like 12-5.

At that point, an AFC West title could be in play, and then who knows from there? It’s all about getting hot in the playoffs.

Still, running back remains a big position of need, one the Broncos will assuredly address at some point in the draft. And most likely early on.

Sean Payton went back to the golf analogy to close out his answer.

“I probably more than any average to below average handicap golfer am guilty of hitting a driver when I should be hitting another club,” Payton said.

Is that a hint at his draft night plans? Maybe, maybe not. But stud running back prospect Ashton Jeanty did say recently the Broncos talked to him the most at the NFL Combine. It would certainly take hitting a driver to trade up and land Jeanty. We’ll see if Denver is willing to pay at potential steep price.

The best news from that answer though is that Sean Payton isn’t afraid to dream (and swing) big. After nearly a decade of misery in Broncos Country until last season, that’s what fans want to hear.

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