Editing Denver Broncos (section)

=== Walton–Penner era (2022–present)===

====Nathaniel Hackett season (2022)====
The Broncos announced the hiring of [[Green Bay Packers]] offensive coordinator [[Nathaniel Hackett]] as head coach on January 27, 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Legwold |first=Jeff |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Denver Broncos hire Nathaniel Hackett for first stint as head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33157981/denver-broncos-hire-nathaniel-hackett-new-head-coach-sources-say |access-date=February 2, 2022 |work=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures, LLC|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>

The Broncos then announced on February 1, 2022, that they were now up for sale and that they would be parting ways with the Bowlen family, the former owners of the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Halloran |first=Ryan |date=February 1, 2022 |title=Broncos up for sale: Team expected to command record-setting price for U.S. sports franchise |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2022/02/01/broncos-for-sale-record-price-expected/ |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}}</ref>

Hackett's first hire as head coach was [[Justin Outten]] as offensive coordinator. He was hired on February 2, 2022.<ref name="k405">{{cite web | last=DiLalla | first=Aric | title=Broncos name Justin Outten as offensive coordinator, announce additional coaching hires | website=DenverBroncos.com | date=February 2, 2022 | url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-name-justin-outten-as-offensive-coordinator-announce-additional-coaching | access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref>

On March 16, 2022, the Broncos traded [[Drew Lock]], [[Noah Fant]], [[Shelby Harris]], Denver's 2022 first-round pick (No. 9), its 2022 second-round pick (No. 40), its 2023 first- and second-round picks, and its 2022 fifth-round pick for [[Russell Wilson]] and the [[Seattle Seahawks]]' 2022 fourth-round pick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33520835/russell-wilson-says-denver-broncos-perfect-fit-deal-seattle-seahawks-becomes-official|title=Russell Wilson calls Denver Broncos 'perfect fit' as deal with Seattle Seahawks becomes official|publisher=ESPN|first=Jeff|last=Legwold|date=March 16, 2022|accessdate=March 17, 2022}}</ref>

On June 7, 2022, the Broncos announced that a consortium led by former [[Walmart]] chairman [[S. Robson Walton|Rob Walton]] had entered in an agreement to acquire the Denver Broncos for $4.65&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Broncos and Walton-Penner family enter into a purchase and sale agreement|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-and-walton-penner-family-enter-into-a-purchase-and-sale-agreement|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=June 7, 2022|access-date=June 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Halloran |first1=Ryan |title=Broncos enter into purchase agreement with Walton-Penner family for record $4.65 billion sale price |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2022/06/07/broncos-walton-penner-family-purchase-agreement/ |access-date=June 8, 2022 |work=The Denver Post |date=June 7, 2022}}</ref> The NFL approved the bid on August 10, 2022. On that day, the members of Walton's partnership, known as the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group, were introduced to the press. The group includes Rob Walton, his daughter [[Carrie Walton Penner]], son-in-law and current Walmart chairman [[Greg Penner]], Starbucks chairwoman [[Mellody Hobson]], former Secretary of State [[Condoleezza Rice]], and Formula One driver [[Lewis Hamilton]].<ref>{{cite news|title=NFL owners approve Walton-Penner group's purchase the new owners of Denver Broncos franchise|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-owners-approve-walton-penner-family-s-purchase-of-denver-broncos-franchise|publisher=National Football League|date=August 9, 2022|access-date=August 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=DiLalla|first=Aric|title='Putting a winning team on the field is our No. 1 priority': Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group unanimously approved, introduced as new Broncos owners as of August 10th 2022|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/putting-a-winning-team-on-the-field-is-our-no-1-priority-walton-penner-family-ow|website=DenverBroncos.com|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|date=August 9, 2022|access-date=August 10, 2022}}</ref> Walton delegated most of his authority to Penner, who became CEO and operating head of the franchise as well as the public face of the Walton-Penner Group. Penner is recognized as the team's controlling owner by the NFL, and represents the Broncos at league meetings.<ref name="PennerBroncosCEO">{{cite web|last=DiLalla|first=Aric|title=New Broncos Owner & CEO Greg Penner outlines key requirements for winning organization|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/new-broncos-owner-ceo-greg-penner-outlines-key-requirements-for-winning-organiza|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=August 10, 2022|access-date=August 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>[https://www.denverbroncos.com/team/front-office-roster/greg-penner Greg Penner Broncos bio]</ref>

On December 26, with the Broncos sitting at 4–11 following a 51–14 [[National Football League Christmas games|Christmas Day]] loss to the [[2022 Los Angeles Rams|Los Angeles Rams]], Hackett was fired and replaced by interim head coach [[Jerry Rosburg]].<ref name="u741">{{Cite web |last=Gabriel |first=Parker |date=December 26, 2022 |title=Broncos fire Nathaniel Hackett after 51–14 loss to Los Angeles Rams |url=https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/broncos-fire-nathaniel-hackett-after-51-14-loss-to-los-angeles-rams/article_a4131fbe-8569-11ed-af42-0f9d81e3b44d.html |access-date=July 30, 2024 |website=The Victoria Advocate}}</ref><ref name="q995">{{cite web | last=Newman | first=Kyle | title=Jerry Rosburg introduced as Broncos interim head coach: "I'm very confident I can do this job for the next two weeks." | website=The Denver Post | date=December 28, 2022 | url=https://www.denverpost.com/2022/12/28/broncos-jerry-rosburg-introduced-interim-head-coach/ | access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref> Hackett became the fifth head coach to not finish his first season after [[Lou Holtz]] in [[1976 New York Jets season|1976]], [[Pete McCulley]] in [[1978 San Francisco 49ers season|1978]], [[Bobby Petrino]] in [[2007 Atlanta Falcons season|2007]], and [[Urban Meyer]] in [[2021 Jacksonville Jaguars season|2021]].<ref name="p486">{{cite web | last=Kerr | first=Jeff | title=Nathaniel Hackett fired: Broncos coach just fifth since 1970 merger to not finish end of first season | website=CBSSports.com | date=December 26, 2022 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nathaniel-hackett-fired-broncos-coach-just-fifth-since-1970-merger-to-not-finish-end-of-first-season/ | access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref>

==== Sean Payton years (2023–present)====
On January 31, 2023, [[Sean Payton]] reported that he had accepted the head coaching job for the Denver Broncos, and he was officially hired as head coach for the [[2023 Denver Broncos season|2023 season]] three days later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiLalla |first=Aric |date=February 3, 2023 |title=Broncos name Sean Payton as Head Coach |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-name-sean-payton-as-head-coach |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=DenverBroncos.com |publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC}}</ref>

The Broncos started the season off 1–5, including a 20–70 loss to the [[2023 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] in week 3.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2023 |title=Sean Payton's Broncos fall apart in 'embarassing' 70-20 loss at Miami |url=https://apnews.com/article/broncos-dolphins-penalties-52f51e639d6483640334095c3c2b81f2 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> However, after a 21–31 loss to the [[2023 New York Jets season|New York Jets]], the team rallied off five straight wins, including victories over the [[2023 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]], [[2023 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]], and [[2023 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]; their first win against the Chiefs since 2015,<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2023 |title=Wilson, Simmons lead Denver Broncos to first win over Chiefs since 2015 with a 24-9 thrashing |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/wilson-simmons-lead-denver-broncos-to-first-win-over-chiefs-since-2015-with-a-21-9-thrashing/ |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> to get to 6–5. After a loss to the [[2023 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]] and a victory over the [[2023 Los Angeles Chargers season|Los Angeles Chargers]], the Broncos won just one of their final four games, including a 23–26 loss to the [[2023 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] at home on Christmas Eve. After the loss, reports surfaced about contract disputes between Russell Wilson and Broncos management over an injury clause, causing Wilson to be benched by the team the final two games of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2023 |title='Definitely disappointed': Russell Wilson addresses contract disagreement, benching |url=https://www.denver7.com/sports/broncos/definitely-disappointed-russell-wilson-addresses-contract-disagreement-over-injury-guarantee-eventual-benching-by-broncos#google_vignette |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH) |language=en}}</ref> The Broncos finished the 2023 season 8–9, good enough for their best record since the [[2016 Denver Broncos season|2016 season]]. However, the team finished under .500 for the seventh consecutive season, and missed the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Broncos officially eliminated from 2023 NFL playoff contention |url=https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2023/12/31/nfl-news-broncos-eliminated-from-2023-playoff-contention/ |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=Broncos Wire |language=en-US}}</ref>

Following the season, the Broncos released Russell Wilson, taking on $85M in dead-cap money, the largest in NFL history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Broncos release Russell Wilson, opt for $53 million cap charge in 2024 |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/broncos-release-russell-wilson-opt-for-53-million-cap-charge-in-2024 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2024 |title=Broncos to cut Wilson, take $85M dead money hit |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39654399/broncos-cut-russell-wilson-take-85m-dead-money-hit |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

On March 7, the Broncos released veteran safety [[Justin Simmons (American football)|Justin Simmons]]. Simmons was the longest tenured player on the Broncos following [[Brandon McManus|Brandon McManus']] departure the previous offseason.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2024 |title=Broncos release star S Simmons after 8 seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39674946/sources-broncos-releasing-all-pro-safety-justin-simmons |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

On April 22, The Broncos unveiled a new set of uniforms known as the "Mile High Collection," which was the teams first uniform change since the [[1997 Denver Broncos season|1997 season]]. A throwback uniform also pays homage to the 1977 Orange Crush uniforms that feature the iconic royal blue "D" helmets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Broncos unveil new uniforms focused on altitude, peaks of Denver, add in 1977-inspired throwback |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-unveil-new-uniforms-focused-on-altitude-peaks-of-denver-add-in-1977-inspired-throwback |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the [[2024 NFL draft|2024 NFL Draft]], the Broncos selected [[Bo Nix]] with the team's first-round pick to succeed Russell Wilson as the teams quarterback.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Broncos select QB Bo Nix with 12th-overall pick in 2024 NFL Draft |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-select-qb-bo-nix-with-12th-overall-pick-in-2024-nfl-draft |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=www.denverbroncos.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Nix was named the starter prior to the [[2024 NFL season]], beating out [[Zach Wilson]] and [[Jarrett Stidham]], and becoming the first Broncos quarterback since [[John Elway]] in [[1983 Denver Broncos season|1983]] to start week 1 of his rookie season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Scott |date=August 21, 2024 |title=Bo Nix makes Broncos history after being named Week 1 starter |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/bo-nix-makes-broncos-history-after-being-named-week-1-starter |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Broncos started the season 0–2, before winning five of their next six games to get to 5–3. After back-to-back losses against the [[2024 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]] and [[2024 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]], the team won four straight games to improve to 9–5, marking an improvement over their 8-win campaign the previous season. Despite back-to-back losses to the [[2024 Los Angeles Chargers season|Los Angeles Chargers]] and [[2024 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]], the Broncos would defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in week 18 to finish the season with a record of 10–7, their first 10-win season since [[2015 Denver Broncos season|2015]], and the teams first winning season since 2016. With the victory, the Broncos clinched a playoff spot for the first time since winning [[Super Bowl 50]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Post |first=Ryan McFadden {{!}} The Denver |date=January 5, 2025 |title=How it happened: Broncos crush Chiefs, clinch 1st playoff berth since Peyton Manning era |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2025/01/05/broncos-chiefs-live-updates-highlights-nfl-2024-week-18/ |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dragon |first=Tyler |title=Drought over: Broncos earn AFC's final playoff spot in blowout win vs. Chiefs |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/01/05/nfl-playoff-picture-broncos-afc-playoff-bracket/77466765007/ |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> In the [[2024–25 NFL playoffs|Wild Card Round]] of the NFL playoffs, the Broncos lost to the [[2024 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] 7–31.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Camenker |first=Joe Rivera and Jacob |title=Bills steamroll Broncos, set NFL playoff matchup with Ravens: Highlights |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/01/12/bills-broncos-live-score-updates-nfl-playoffs-wild-card/77634696007/ |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>