Why the Broncos Can/Can’t Make It to the Super Bowl Next Season

Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts at the end of the 2013 AFC Championship game at Sports Authority Field against the New England Patriots at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

A Super Bowl champion has been crowned and the confetti has been cleaned up in Arizona.

The beginning of the 2015 NFL offseason is among us.

This eight-ish month layover before the regular season starts up again will be an entertaining one, to say the least.

Between the various contract decisions, free agency period, trading possibilities, the release of the official regular season schedule, and the NFL draft, there’ll be no shortage of excitement for football fans around the globe.

The members of Broncos Country surely won’t feel left out, either.

This offseason, unlike any other for the Broncos in recent memory, is one of the most important as it could decide the width of Denver’s Super Bowl window. It’ll be general manager John Elway’s toughest task since he rejoined his former team in 2011.

Not only has he already brought in a brand new coaching staff, but seemingly countless player contracts need to be addressed with the start of free agency only roughly a month away.

Above it all, a thick cloud of doubt has hovered over the Broncos since their loss to the Indianapolis Colts back in January. Not many outside of Denver believe that Peyton Manning and Co. can make it back to the big game.

Even fewer believe that they can win it if they get there.

Are the Broncos still capable of walking away with the Lombardi Trophy, or has their championship window already shut? Let’s take a look at why they can and cannot make it back to the Super Bowl this upcoming season.