Denver Broncos have earned plenty of praise for the way they approached the offseason. From adding explosive new offensive weapons to strengthening key areas of the roster, the front office addressed several needs without making unnecessary moves.

Even after an impressive offseason, NFL analyst Mark Schlereth, speaking on 104.3 The Fan's Stokley and Evans, did not grade Denver the best.

"I would grade them – A-, B+," Schlereth said.

Reacting to that, Joey Freeburg of DenverSports.com made his assessment clear.

"An A- or B+ isn’t an A+. And Schlereth was clear about the one area that continues to keep the Broncos from a truly elite grade," Freeburg wrote for DenverSports.com on July 2.

Denver added speed to its receiving group, adding Jaylen Waddle, brought in veteran running back J.K. Dobbins, and added rookie Jonah Coleman to the backfield.

Even after those additions, Schlereth doesn't believe the roster is complete.

"You look at what they did in free agency, in the draft, and all the different things that they've done to accomplish their goal. They're basically telling you, 'Hey man, we were 14-3. We did not really perform like we thought we would offensively. We covet our players,'" Mark Schlereth said on 104.3 The Fan's Stokley and Evans on June 30.

The concern comes after Evan Engram wasn't able to make the impact many expected in his first season in Denver, while Adam Trautman has remained more of a supporting option than a featured target.

"If they're honest, they would tell you, 'Our one weakness on the offensive side of the ball that we did not, and have not, and cannot figure out, is the tight end position,'" Schlereth added.

Beyond them, the Broncos are still searching for the kind of tight end that has played such a role in Sean Payton's offense over the years.

The Broncos may still have one position to sort out, but there's no uncertainty about who will be leading the team for years to come.

What made the Broncos extend Sean Payton through 2030?

The Denver Broncos have made it clear they want Sean Payton to lead the team. The team signed its head coach to a new five-year extension through the 2030 season after a three-year run that brought Denver back into the AFC conversation.

Broncos owner and CEO Greg Penner said the decision reflects the progress the team has made under Payton.

"Sean Payton has led an impressive turnaround over the past three seasons, instilling a winning culture with high expectations," Penner said on June 11, per the team's official website.

Since arriving in 2023, Payton has helped Denver return to the playoffs in consecutive seasons, win its first AFC West title in 10 years, and post a 14-3 record in 2025.

"We're thrilled for Sean to continue leading our team as head coach, building on our progress during such an exciting time for the Broncos," Penner added.

For Denver, the extension isn't just about rewarding what Payton has already accomplished. It's a sign that the team believes the foundation is in place and wants the same leadership guiding the next chapter.

Can Denver contend for a Super Bowl with its current roster, or does the tight end position still need an upgrade? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Read more at the Denver Broncos Community!

Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore