Overview:
Ahead of the Broncos season opener on Sept. 14, we asked people what they were excited about for the upcoming Broncos season for Bucket List on the Street.
Football season is almost here, and Denver and Broncos fans can’t wait. Bo Nix and company open the season Monday, Sept. 14, against the dreaded division rival Chiefs in Kansas City.
Last season, the Broncos won 14 regular-season games, matching the franchise record set by the 1998 Super Bowl-winning team. Unlike those 1998 Broncos, however, the 2025 squad fell just one game short of playing for the Lombardi Trophy.
Quarterback Bo Nix’s return after suffering a broken ankle in the AFC Divisional Round against Buffalo, combined with the potential the team showed last season, has created high expectations around Denver heading into the new season.
2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II and talented edge rusher Nik Bonnito are also key pieces to this year’s Broncos puzzle, while the addition of star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins is expected to take the offense to the next level.
So, this week’s Bucket List on the Street asks five Denver-area residents: “What are you excited about for the upcoming Broncos season?”
Here’s what they had to say:
Super Bowl Aspirations
Lifetime Broncos fan Cliff Beck is optimistic about the Broncos reaching the Super Bowl this season. His family has had season tickets since the 1960s, which the 62-year-old has enjoyed for countless decades.
“They got a good chance to go to the Super Bowl this year,” Beck said.
The only concern Beck has is the team, especially quarterback Bo Nix, staying healthy. “They have some good additions, and a lot more depth now. They should be good, unless Bo Nix gets hurt, that’s the key.”
Putting the Broncos back on the map
Ivan Ortiz, 39, has been a Broncos fan since 1995. Ivan, like Cliff, has lived in Denver for many years and has had the pleasure of witnessing three championship teams during his time as a Broncos fan. All he wants is to get back to the gold standard.
“I’m excited because we get another shot to be Super Bowl contenders,” Ortiz said.
It’s Bo Nix’s time to shine
Unlike other people we talked with, Louie, 53, did not mention Super Bowl aspirations, instead, he expressed his support for the Broncos’ young quarterback.
“I am excited to see Bo Nix show the rest of the NFL what he can do,” Louie said.
Despite growing up in the Phoenix area, Louie knows a thing or two about Broncos football.
“Honestly, [I’ve been a Broncos fan] only for about the last year, since I moved to Denver,” Louie said. “When I was a kid, I followed them in the Elway days.”
‘We’re winning the Super Bowl’
Gael Ortiz, 18, believes this is the year for the Broncos.
“I’m excited for this upcoming season,” Gael said. “I think we are going to win the Super Bowl. That’s the biggest thing.”
Unlike his dad, Ivan, Gael doesn’t just think the Broncos have a good shot to make the Super Bowl, but he firmly believes they will hoist the Lombardi Trophy. “I’m excited, just look at last season. “I think it’s going to happen, man. I feel it.”
‘Winning.”
Laura Tarket-Johnson, 63, has been a Broncos fan her whole life and, like many of the other people we talked to, has high expectations for this year.
“[I’m excited for] winning,” Tarket-Johnson said. “It’s going to be a great season. I can feel it. We are all set up, now it’s just ours to lose.”
In fact, Tarket-Johnson is so confident that she already has a plan for when the Broncos make the Super Bowl.
“First of all, we are going to have a huge party for the Super Bowl,” Laura said.
Laura gives the Broncos an 88% chance to win the Super Bowl – a nod to the late, legendary receiver Demaryius Thomas.
There you have it, folks! We’re excited for the start of the season and can’t wait to see how the Broncos do this time around.
Thanks for reading and we’ll be back next week with another part of our Bucket List on the Street series.
