Sean Payton is confident that the Broncos can stay hungry

Sean Payton took the podium at 2026 Broncos training camp and was asked about the evolution of a team that has gone from scrappy upstart to legitimate Super Bowl contender in just two years.

After the Broncos demolished the Kansas City Chiefs 38-0 in Week 18 of the 2024-25 season to snap a 10-year playoff drought, Payton stood at the podium and delivered a line that would come to define Denver’s identity: “Young and hungry can sometimes be pretty dangerous.”

It was true. That young, dangerous team lost to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round that year, but came back the following season and got their revenge, beating Buffalo 33-30 in an overtime thriller in the AFC Divisional Round to advance to the AFC Championship Game against New England. The Broncos finished 14-3 last season and established themselves as one of the premier teams in the AFC.

Now, a couple of years removed from that original quote, and with more experience under the belts of the core roster, the question has shifted. Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan’s “The Drive” producer Dante Gomez asked Payton directly.

“A few years ago you mentioned ‘young and hungry can be dangerous.’ How do you keep that dangerous identity, while now being a more veteran team with a target on your back?” Gomez asked.

Payton showed the same quiet confidence that has defined his tenure in Denver.

“Well, we’re still young. And I think there’s confidence after you’ve done something a number of times,” Payton said. “It’s a confident group.”

He continued, acknowledging that the roster will look different but that the standard remains the same.

“I think part of that grows, as you get closer to the start of the regular season. They’ll be different faces. They’ll be x amount of players that are new to the roster. And this team will earn its stripes this year.”

Payton also made it clear during his press conferences that he believes this squad has what it takes to win it all. He told reporters the 2026 Broncos are one of the teams he’s coached that have a genuine chance to win the Super Bowl.

“Certainly, this is a team that understands or has expectations of playing in the postseason, and yet there’s still that journey that starts again,” Payton said.

The hunger hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s just evolved. What was once a young team fighting to prove it belonged is now a confident group expecting to compete for a championship. And if Payton has his way, this team will earn its stripes all over again.

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