Sean Payton says Broncos can’t pick up from where they left off, must start over

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton isn’t thinking about last year.

Even if it was the most enjoyable football that Broncos Country has gotten to witness in a long time.

Coming off a 10-7 season and the team’s first playoff berth since 2015, fans have high expectations. Winning the AFC West should be a legitimate goal. Who knows, perhaps even dreams of the Super Bowl?

And while that could all still happen for Denver in 2025, Payton is clear they’re looking out the front window and not the rearview mirror. While also acknowledging the team is in a better place this June than they were last June.

“I think we’re obviously further along with regards to what we’re doing. Now, you still have to turn the game-board over and start from the beginning in our league,” Payton said after Broncos OTAs on Thursday.

It’s a good point from Sean Payton. Going 10-7 was fantastic, but it’s not like it gets Denver bonus points heading into this season. Everyone is 0-0 and it’s up to this group to prove they belong with the elite NFL teams every Sunday.

“You have to do that. We’re not picking up from where we left off. You have start with the fundamentals and you get a chance to do that in these sessions,” Payton said.

Obviously OTAs are the grind before the grind, with mandatory mini-camp next week and then the behemoth that is training camp in late July and August.

The Broncos are integrating their free-agent signings and rookies while QB Bo Nix enters year two and large chunks of the roster on offense and defense return.

While it’s exciting to think about where this team could be come January, Sean Payton isn’t focused on that. It’s a fresh slate — and nothing in the past matters at this point in time.

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