標籤: Denver

Last year, the Denver Broncos had the NFL’s third-best scoring defense. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s unit was a big reason the Broncos were able to win 14 games and were then viewed as a strong candidate to play in the Super Bowl.

Of course, Bo Nix’s ankle fracture at the end of the season derailed the team’s momentum in the playoffs. Still, many would argue that the Broncos have strengthened the roster since then, such as trading their first-round pick in exchange for star receiver Jaylen Waddle. Still, the Broncos have not finished building the roster yet.

Recently, Broncos edge rusher Nick Bonitto discussed the possibility of future Hall of Famer Von Miller returning with DNVR’s Jack Stevens. Bonito admitted that he would “love” to work together with Miller.

“It’s definitely going to be pretty crazy,” Bonito said. “Obviously, everyone would love it. Not just the fans but the players as well. He’s a guy that’s very well-loved here in Denver. My personal favorite player that I’ve ever watched. Just to be able to share a room with him would be amazing.”

The three-time All-Pro is now 37 years old, but he is coming off a nine-sack season, which suggests he may still have something in the tank if a Broncos reunion is still a possibility. If he plays a 15th season, the Broncos could be a fit for someone who definitely still wants to compete for a championship.

RELATED: 4 Denver Broncos QB options while Bo Nix recovers from ankle injury

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Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton recently acknowledged that under Bo Nix, his team has recovered from the broken ankle that kept them out of the AFC Conference Championship. Nix’s injury provides the perfect excuse for Coach Payton to create more competition for the backup QB job in Denver after Jarrett Stidham completed only 54.8% of his passes for 133 yards, a TD and an INT in the team’s playoff loss.

The only other QB on the Broncos’ roster is Sam Ehlinger. But the 2021 sixth-round pick hasn’t thrown an NFL pass with the Colts since 2022. So, if the Broncos want more capable competition behind Nix to help establish their offense, who could Peyton go to coach? Here are four possible solutions.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings: From the NFL’s worst starting QBs to the best

jimmy garoppolo

Still unsigned and reportedly considering retirement at the age of 34, Garoppolo has been tasked with backing up 2025 NFL MVP Matthew Stafford for the past two seasons. Like the Knicks, Jimmy G does not have a very strong arm, and his top priority is keeping the ball out of harm’s way. He is also a proven winner, having led his team to two Super Bowl appearances. Until the Knicks get back to 100% in Denver, he feels like an ideal bridge QB.

Will Lewis

After the Titans selected Cam Ward No. 1 overall, Lewis will still be only 27 when the season starts. He was sidelined with a shoulder injury last season, but is now back at 100% and likely yearns for a change of scenery. Learning from Coach Payton could provide a springboard for the former second-rounder’s career, and the Titans would likely be willing to trade him as a backup to Mitchell Trubisky.

Anthony Richardson

Would the Broncos be willing to take a low-risk gamble on a highly talented prospect with injury concerns? Richardson is by far the most talented QB available, but the Broncos will have to find fair trade compensation for the former No. 4 overall pick. Still, having a high-potential developmental prospect on hand would be a fun project for the Broncos.

Russell Wilson

Will he really come back? It depends on how desperate Wilson is for another NFL opportunity. He is said to be considering TV job offers and even a contract from the Jets. Still, if Wilson wants a chance to join another Super Bowl contender, he may view the Broncos as a job too good to turn down. He’ll certainly bring a competitive spirit to practice until the Knicks rally the troops.

RELATED: 5 Russell Wilson landing spots before NFL training camps

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After leading them to the playoffs in consecutive seasons, the Denver Broncos have placed their full trust in franchise quarterback Bo Nix. While Nicks has quickly demonstrated that he was worth the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Broncos general manager George Payton and head coach Sean Payton also understand the importance of the QB position.

While Nix is ​​an above-average starter, it never hurts to continue evaluating the position, in hopes of acquiring a quality backup and even a developmental prospect who could turn into something more.

On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that EJ Warner, son of Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner, has accepted an invitation to the Broncos’ rookie minicamp. This doesn’t mean he has signed a contract with the Broncos, but it does mean Warner will get a chance to compete for a roster spot.

Warner, who went undrafted out of Fresno State, spent the past week at the Kansas City Chiefs’ rookie minicamp. The 5-foot-11, 213-pound QB began his college career at Temple before transferring to Rice in 2024 and finishing at Fresno State last season.

He led Fresno State to a 7–3 record while completing 69.3% of his passes for 2,030 yards, 13 TDs and 11 INTs. Warner is just 22 years old, but before embarking on a highly successful NFL career that included winning Super Bowl XXXIV, he faced an uphill climb to make the roster, just like his father.

Now his son would also like to follow his father’s footsteps unopposed. But EJ is at a severe height disadvantage, which means he’ll have to work even harder to make a lasting impression.

RELATED: 10 Pittsburgh Steelers QB options as Aaron Rodgers’ patience is wearing thin

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning NBA Finals and regular season MVP, Luka Doncic leads the league in scoring and Victor Wembanyama is the face of a dramatic franchise revival. But make no mistake, Nikola Jokic still has a strong case for being the best player in the NBA today. He reinforced that on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns.

The Denver Nuggets superstar hit a bucket near the lower half of the free-throw circle with 11.5 seconds remaining, giving his team a 125-123 win at the Mortgage Matchup Center.

Jokic didn’t have his greatest scoring night – finishing with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting – but he stepped up in the game’s most important moment. The future Hall of Fame center also posted 17 rebounds and 17 assists to record his 29th triple-double of the season. Despite facing more tough defenses recently, he has continued to make a terrifying impact on the court.

Clutch!

Nikola Jokic with a clutch bucket inside to win the game for Denver

pic.twitter.com/Y7sjzdM6Mt

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 25 March 2026

The 2023 Finals MVP and three-time regular season MVP knows what his role is on this team. He’s a brilliant playmaker, but the Nuggets are also relying on him to score at will. Jokic himself will admit that Denver did not have a chance to eliminate last year’s NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder due to poor shooting performance in the middle part of the Western Conference semi-finals. He intends to maintain his excellent form and strong health after this season.

The Nuggets are deeper than they have been since winning the title – Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 18 off the bench against the Suns – but the offense runs through Nikola Jokic. How he handles pressure will determine how dangerous this team is in 2026.

He certainly performed in The Desert. Ideally, No. 15 won’t have to play hero when Denver (45-28) hosts the lackluster Dallas Mavericks (23-49) on Wednesday.

The Denver Nuggets are expected to get a key reinforcement ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, with guard Peyton Watson on track to return to the lineup after a lengthy absence.

Denver (43-28) hosts Portland (35-36) at 2:00 pm PT on NBA TV as the regular season enters a critical phase. The Nuggets currently hold the fifth seed in the Western Conference standings and are tied with the Houston Rockets (42-27) for fourth place, making each remaining game increasingly important for postseason positioning.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Watson is expected to return after missing more than six weeks with a hamstring injury.

“Denver’s Peyton Watson is expected to return Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing more than 6 weeks due to a hamstring strain. Watson has had a breakout year for the Nuggets, averaging career-highs 14.9 points, 30.7 minutes and 4.9 rebounds, along with 2 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1 steal per game,” sources told ESPN.

Watson, 23, has emerged as a major contributor during the 2025-26 season, producing career-bests across the board. Through 49 games, including 39 starts, he has averaged 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, two assists, 1.2 blocks and one steal per game, while shooting an efficient 49.6% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range in 30.7 minutes per contest.

Peyton Watson’s return will boost Nuggets vs. Blazers at crucial juncture

His last appearance came on February 4 in a 134–127 double-overtime loss to the New York Knicks. In that game, Watson recorded 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block while shooting 4 of 13 from the field and 1 of 6 from beyond the arc during 33 minutes.

Watson’s return provides a timely boost for a Denver team that is trying to solidify its position in the tightly contested Western Conference. His two-way versatility, perimeter defense and improved scoring efficiency have played a key role in the Nuggets’ success this season.

As Denver prepares to face a competitive Portland team that is still within reach of a postseason picture, Watson’s availability could prove vital in maintaining momentum and strengthening the team’s rotation heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

The Denver Nuggets are considered one of the potential contenders in the Western Conference, with a solid roster with strong depth. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Nuggets added that potential depth this week with the signing of David Roddy to a two-way contract.

According to Michael Scotto of Hoopshype.com, the Nuggets already had all three of their two-way contract roster spots filled, so they waived Tamar Bates to facilitate the signing of David Roddy.

Roddy’s inclusion is interesting for the Nuggets as he has been performing brilliantly with Team USA during the recent FIBA ​​World Cup qualifiers. During last week’s two-match schedule, Roddy was one of the team’s top players.

In Team USA’s first game against the Dominican Republic, he scored eight points with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. He had a breakout game with a team-high 20 points in the win against Mexico. He shot 7 of 10 from the field, and a perfect 2 of 2 from the 3-point line in that win.

Roddy’s opportunity with the Nuggets is not his first go-round in the NBA. Drafted 23rd overall in the 2022 NBA draft, he began his career in the league with the Memphis Grizzlies. After one and a half seasons, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of a multi-team deal that obtained the Suns’ Royce O’Neal.

Following the 2023–24 season, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks waived him during the 2024–25 season, and he spent the remainder of the season playing brief stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets. He was part of the blockbuster Kevin Durant-to-the Rockets trade involving multiple teams. The deal brought him back to the Hawks, who immediately waived him.

Roddy was playing with Raptors 905 in the G League before getting called up to Team USA and then eventually the Nuggets.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania: Tyus Jones, the Denver Nuggets have been trying to add some guard depth to their team since the trade deadline, and they were finally able to pick up someone who can help them for the remainder of the season.

“Free agent guard Tyus Jones has agreed to sign with the Denver Nuggets, his agent Kevin Bradbury of Lift Sports Management told ESPN. An experienced point guard and ball handler to fill a Nuggets backcourt need,” Charania, formerly of the X, wrote on Twitter.

The Mavericks waived Jones last week after signing Ryan Nembhard to a two-year contract.

To begin the season, Jones was with the Orlando Magic after signing with the team during the offseason, and was considered a key player coming off the bench. This did not go well for the Magic and he was eventually traded to the Charlotte Hornets. Jones was then moved to the Mavericks.

Jones will now be part of a team competing in the Western Conference and finishing in the top five in the standings. They have lost their last two games to teams ranked above them, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, and that could be a cause for concern considering there are only so many games left in the season.

The Nuggets have had to deal with injuries to their key players throughout the season, with Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson currently sidelined. When they are fully healthy, there is no doubt that they are one of the better teams in the league, and they are still capable of sticking with what they have.

The Denver Nuggets are currently facing a challenging stretch, having lost six of their last nine games, including a 117-108 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. This slump has dropped them to fifth place in the Western Conference standings. Last week’s 128-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors highlighted late-game execution issues, with star center Nikola Jokic initially concerned about the team’s difficulty making open shots during key moments.

However, as per a report by Rachel Strand and noted by ClutchPoints, Jokic now views these struggles as a positive development for the defending champions.

Commenting on the team’s recent performance, he said, “It’s a good thing to happen. You’ll start worrying; you’ll start caring more. The struggle is good… you’ll play a little harder and better.”

“It’s a good thing to happen. You’ll start worrying, you’ll start caring more. The struggle is good… you’ll play a little harder and better.”

Nikola Jokic is going through a tough time on the Nuggets 🗣️

(via @milehighrachel) pic.twitter.com/LPme5cmXKH

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 2 March 2026

This perspective suggests the reigning MVP believes the current challenges can help eliminate complacency and sharpen the team’s focus on the postseason.

Guard Christian Braun also echoed this sentiment after last week’s game, emphasizing that the Nuggets’ challenges stemmed more from a lack of physicality and “not holding our spots” than from flaws in their overall gameplay.

With important matchups scheduled against the Utah Jazz and the strong Los Angeles Lakers, the Nuggets must find a way to increase their strength.

Jokic remains optimistic that experiencing the pressure of these defeats will ultimately motivate the team to improve its performance when it matters most.

Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos fell short of their goals this season, but this group looks like they could be a step or two away from reaching the Super Bowl in the near future. Franchise quarterback Bo Nix isn’t going anywhere, and after retaining Vance Joseph, the Broncos’ third-ranked scoring defense should remain elite in 2026.

Now the Broncos may need a little more help to become the class of the AFC. Recently, Coach Payton sat down with an old friend about a position on his staff.

According to KUSA’s Mike Klis, the Broncos talked to former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer about a role on the coaching staff last week. Payton wants Zimmer to join the Crew in a “senior coaching” role.

Payton and Zimmer reportedly share mutual interest in making a deal, but as Klis reports, nothing is imminent. Zimmer worked with Payton on the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2005. Now, almost 20 years later, the two may be reunited.

Zimmer last served in the NFL as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator in 2024. If they can come to an agreement on a contract he will bring over 20 seasons of NFL experience to Denver. With the Broncos making back-to-back trips to the playoffs, Denver appears to be a good fit for Zimmer if he wants to add to his Super Bowl ring collection after winning one in 1995.

RELATED: Minnesota Vikings trying to trade Pro Bowl player

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Denver Nuggets’ final game troubles continued on Sunday as the team missed another opportunity in crunch time during a 128-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Despite Nikola Jokic scoring 35 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists, the Nuggets could not perform when it mattered most.

The Nuggets have lost six of their last nine games and their star player is not holding back from making his point.

“I’m definitely worried because we’re losing games,” Jokic said. “We’re losing games, and we’re not making open looks. So it’s something we need to change. … I don’t know what it is, but we need to figure it out.”

After the loss, guard Christian Braun cited a lack of physicality and positioning as the root cause of Denver’s struggles.

“I think there’s been a lot of things this year that we haven’t been able to hold down,” Braun said. “Not being tough enough.” “It has nothing to do with our process. It has nothing to do with anything other than our need to keep our place.”

The Warriors took advantage of Denver’s defensive flaws, with Brandin Podziemski scoring 12 points in the final five minutes to seal the win.

Now sitting at 36-22, the Nuggets face a turning point ahead. After a few days’ rest, they will face Boston Celtics at home on Wednesday. Then on Friday they face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who currently have the league’s best record.

As the playoffs approach and the Nuggets want to maintain their legitimate contender status, they will have to find a way to close out these games.

The Denver Nuggets continue to make adjustments to their rotation in the midst of another postseason push. The latest move comes in the form of former Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson, who has joined on a two-way contract.

According to Shams Charania, Simpson’s two-way contract replaces Spencer Jones, who was previously converted to a standard contract and will become a restricted free agent in the summer.

The Nuggets are planning to sign former Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson to a two-way NBA deal, sources tell ESPN. Simpson averaged 7.3 points and 21.3 minutes in 50 games over a season and a half in Charlotte. He replaces Spencer Jones after Jones was converted to a standard deal. https://t.co/X4ZUkcGzzA

– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 19 February 2026

Jones’ promotion was largely procedural but also performance-earned. The 24-year-old has emerged as a reliable rotation wing while battling injuries, starting 34 of 46 games while averaging 6.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 23.6 minutes per game.

His 41.4% 3-point shooting and 50.5% overall field goal percentage have made him an underutilized but highly functional spacer in Denver’s offense. More importantly, Jones’ defensive impact means he ranks 24th in defensive rating (118.1).

Nuggets ready to sign former Hornets guard KJ Simpson to two-way NBA contract @shamscharania. pic.twitter.com/IMZHp1SlZk

– ClutchPoints NBA (@ClutchPointsNBA) 19 February 2026

Contract conversion also solves the roster compliance issue. Denver had dropped to 13 standard contracts following the Hunter Tyson trade, making Jones’ promotion the simplest way to meet the league’s 14-player minimum.

The Nuggets still retain an open roster spot, with Jones’ current deal also allowing the franchise to make some significant financial changes. Denver is already projected to have over $200 million in salary commitments next season and looks to add some much-needed depth.

Jones began the year on a two-way contract, which typically leads to a lower qualifying offer after conversion to a standard deal. However, since he has already started 34 games, the 24-year-old is close to reaching the league’s starting cap.

Simpson averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 21.3 minutes in 50 NBA games with Charlotte before being waived. His G-League production has been remarkably strong, posting 18.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists with Greensboro, indicating considerable offensive potential.

Selected 42nd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Simpson has not appeared in a single game for the Hornets since the start of the campaign and will be eager to get his first taste of NBA action in the current campaign.

The Denver Nuggets made a move on forward Spencer Jones just before NBA action resumed following the All-Star break.

The Nuggets needed enough players to meet the minimum player requirement on the roster, so the decision was made to convert Jones’ two-way deal into a standard contract for the remainder of the 2025–26 NBA season, as ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reports.

“The Nuggets are converting two-way forward Spencer Jones to a standard contract,” Siegel, formerly of the Ax, wrote in a social media post on Twitter.

It’s also worth noting that the 24-year-old Jones had already exceeded his limit of 50 games for a two-way player in the league.

Now that he is already guaranteed a roster spot for the remainder of the campaign, he simply needs to recover from his injury to return to active status. The former Stanford Cardinal player missed the Nuggets’ final three games before the break, although Denver managed to win two of those contests, including a 122–116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on February 11.

Signed by the Nuggets to a two-way deal as an undrafted contract through 2024, Jones has averaged 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds through 46 games this season. He has been quite dangerous from behind the 3-point line, where he is hitting downshots at a 41.1 percent success rate on 2.5 attempts from deep outings.

The Nuggets begin a three-game road trip after the break this Thursday when they face the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with Jones expected to be in the lineup.