Broncos’ defensive model invites comparisons with 2015 champions

Former Denver Broncos players Aqib Talib and Von Miller have drawn comparisons between the 2026 team and Denver’s 2015 Super Bowl-winning side, pointing to defensive strength, player accountability and organisational alignment.

The comparison, reported by ESPN, follows a 14-3 campaign in which Denver reached the AFC Championship Game. The Broncos open the 2026 season away against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Coach Sean Payton has highlighted the continuity within the roster, with 45 of the 53 players from last season’s opening group remaining with the franchise. Denver has also added receiver Jaylen Waddle and handed primary offensive playcalling to Davis Webb.

Defence remains the clearest link between the two teams. ESPN reports that Denver led the NFL in sacks in each of the past two seasons, while the 2015 defence drove the team’s Super Bowl 50 victory over the Carolina Panthers and allowed only one touchdown pass across three playoff games.

The current Broncos are seeking greater takeaway production while preserving their broader defensive standards. They also enter the season with a record of late-game execution: ESPN says Denver recorded an NFL-record 11 one-score wins last season, while quarterback Bo Nix has made eight fourth-quarter comebacks since the start of the 2024 season, tied for the league lead.

The resemblance remains a comparison rather than a forecast. Close-game results can shift between seasons, but former players and current personnel argue that shared standards and accountability could give Denver a foundation for another championship push.