Broncos target Super Bowl LXI with Elliss, Lohner as key roster assets
The Denver Broncos are positioning themselves for a legitimate Super Bowl LXI run, contingent on quarterback Bo Nix’s recovery and the emergence of depth players like linebacker Jonah Elliss and tight end Caleb Lohner.
The Denver Broncos are targeting a Super Bowl LXI campaign in 2026, with the team’s trajectory heavily dependent on quarterback Bo Nix recovering from a broken ankle sustained during the previous season’s divisional playoff round. According to reports from Yahoo Sports, the Broncos are expected to navigate a challenging first six games of the 2026 schedule before facing a more favourable second half, requiring a deep roster to sustain a legitimate playoff push.
Analysts and team sources have identified linebacker Jonah Elliss as a critical "secret weapon" for the upcoming season. Although the third-round pick from 2024 has not started a game for the Broncos, his versatility is viewed as invaluable. Elliss is expected to make a full-time transition from edge defender to inside linebacker, a role in which he has already been utilised on third downs.
Pro Bowl teammate Nik Bonitto emphasised Elliss’s impact, noting that he is one of the team’s best coverage players. "I have no doubt about his talent. He's one of the most talented guys on the team," Bonitto told reporters, highlighting the multiple defensive packages designed to leverage Elliss’s ability to play both on the edge and off the ball.
On the offensive side, seventh-round pick Caleb Lohner is generating early buzz for his rapid development under head coach Sean Payton. Described as a "pet project" of Payton’s, the former Utah basketball player is noted for his significant physical and technical improvement despite limited prior football experience. Payton stated that Lohner looks "entirely different" after one year in the program and is in "great shape," marking a steep learning curve for the rookie.
The tight end position is set to become a focal point of competition in training camp. Lohner joins established starter Evan Engram, re-signed players Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins, and Lucas Krull, and other draft picks Justin Joly and Dallen Bentley. This depth is expected to intensify the battle for roster spots as the Broncos aim to build the depth required for a Super Bowl run.
