Broncos get frustrating 2026 projection even after Jaylen Waddle trade

The Denver Broncos haven't done much this offseason, simply re-signing most of their departing free agents and cutting ties with Dre Greenlaw on defense.

At least, that was the case until their blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins, sending a first-rounder and third-rounder for star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. It's a big addition for the Broncos and should help build optimism for 2026.

However, for ESPN's Bill Barnwell, despite this big addition of Waddle, his projection for the Broncos is a frustrating one for fans. Even after the Waddle addition, Barnwell doesn't see the 2026 Broncos being as strong a Super Bowl contender as they were in 2025.

Broncos not as strong a SB contender even after Waddle trade

"The Waddle trade is unlikely to be a disaster, and I like the fit in an ideal world for what he can do within the Denver offense," Barnwell writes. "I'm just not sure the 2026 Broncos are going to be as close to contending for a title as the 2025 team was by the end of the year."

If this projection from Barnwell were to come true, then the Broncos, even after spending a lot of capital on Waddle, would have worse odds to win the Super Bowl in 2026 than they did in 2025.

Despite adding a top-tier wide receiver in a blockbuster trade, the Broncos are not viewed as a top-tier Super Bowl contender.

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For where the team is at and how close they got to the Super Bowl last year, seeing this projection/commentary from Barnwell is frustrating for the Broncos.

They should be better in 2026 than they were in 2025. But they were a great team last year, and didn't have to contend with a serious Kansas City Chiefs team, and the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills had major flaws.

If it weren't for Bo Nix getting hurt, they likely would've made the Super Bowl and could've beaten the Seattle Seahawks.

While there should be optimism for 2026, and Barnwell doesn't believe it's going to be a disaster, he also doesn't see the 2026 Broncos' odds to win the Super Bowl as good as they were last year, even after the huge Waddle trade.

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