The Denver Broncos did not add any new players during the 2024 NFL Trade Deadline, and head coach Sean Payton may have hinted at why. Despite hopes that the Broncos would acquire an offensive playmaker, given their struggles on offense, Payton’s comments suggested that the asking prices were too high. The team seems committed to developing its current roster, even though rookie quarterback Bo Nix has been let down by the inconsistent performance of his supporting cast. A key example was wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey dropping a perfectly thrown pass that led to an interception by the Ravens.
Payton noted that the team was not willing to part with a valuable second-round pick, indicating that the cost for any player under consideration was excessive. It’s likely that Denver set a firm limit on what they were willing to sacrifice and didn’t come close to making a serious move. High asking prices at the trade deadline are common, but unless a top-tier player is available, trading away a second-round pick would have been unwise.
While the Broncos’ lack of activity may have been frustrating for fans hoping for immediate improvement, their focus now turns to the future. With their first and second-round picks intact and more than $60 million in projected cap space, Denver is positioned to make significant moves in the 2025 offseason to build around Bo Nix. Although impactful mid-season trades are rare in the NFL, the decision not to make a move aligns with Denver’s long-term strategy.