ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — On the heels of the Broncos' most successful season in nearly a decade, the focus remains on finding ways to continue to improve.

And as the Broncos now look ahead to the offseason, Head Coach Sean Payton knows that it will be important to figure out ways to upgrade the team to help the Broncos achieve their next set of goals in 2025. The process, Payton noted Wednesday, will begin with internal evaluation.

"Certainly, we'll have a chance to evaluate — when we get to the offseason evaluation process — where we feel like we're at with each position," Payton said. "... We'll go through that process, and we'll look closely at what we think we still need, what we have to have and then what we want to have. That only comes after evaluating our own roster."

Denver made several key additions in free agency last year in what Owner & CEO Greg Penner described as a "measured approach that served us well." This approach included bringing in players that not only made an impact with their on-field talent, but that also contributed to the development of a positive team culture.

General Manager George Paton said that the approach could look similar this year, noting that "it worked out for us last year."

"We were very measured," Paton said. "We picked our spots. We were very strategic. It worked out. ... You can't go crazy every year. My first year here, we wanted to set the tone, and I talked about it with the offensive line and the Zach Allens of the world. We were measured, [but] we still got some really good players — Brandon Jones [and] Malcolm Roach. [We] made a few trades that we really liked. We'll see. We could be really aggressive, but I think we'll have a more measured approach and still upgrade our team."

Denver also saw an upgrade this season with its rookie additions — including rookie quarterback Bo Nix — and Paton noted that with these key pieces now in place, there will be even more potential to continue to move in a positive direction.

"We're all searching for that rookie quarterback who has franchise skills, and I think we have that," Paton said. "And so, what do we do? We just keep building. You draft and you develop, you're selective in free agency, but you may make a splash. But we're always trying to build this thing. We're fortunate; we think we have our guy in Bo and we just keep building and bringing in the right guys and the right make up, and guys that fit what we're doing schematically — offensively, defensively and [on] special teams."

As Denver now prepares to evaluate its options during the offseason, Penner is confident that the team has built a strong foundation with which to work.

"As we go into this offseason, it's a different situation again, and we're going to have a little bit more cap space," Penner said. "Our needs are different — we have a young nucleus and a great quarterback to build around. We haven't set yet what our approach to free agency will be, but if it's appropriate, we'll be aggressive. But I'm not sure that we'll need to do that."

PRIORITIZING A 'DRAFT AND DEVELOP' APPROACH

Payton emphasized the competitive advantage of having a young and hungry team throughout the season, and that was on full display as several rookies took on significant roles for the Broncos this season.

Six of Denver's seven draft picks took the field this season and quickly made their presences known. The focus on building a young team, Paton noted, was a priority heading into the season.

"Sean was all in last year," Paton said. "We had no choice. We could have taken less of a [cap] hit last year, but we wanted to take the full hit because we were going to go young. Sean emphasized that to the coaches: We're playing our young players. The Riley Mosses of the world, the Nik Bonittos. We're playing our young players [and developing] them. And so that came from Sean, and I and Greg. And Sean understands the importance of the draft. Some of his best years are because some of those drafts that he had. ... Sean understands the importance of draft [and] develop."

Not only did the Broncos see several rookies make meaningful contributions, but other players recorded the best seasons of their careers after having the opportunity to develop. The outside linebacker duo of Jonathon Cooper and Bonitto — whom Paton drafted in 2021 and 2022, respectively — combined for the most sacks of any duo across the league this season. Both players individually recorded career-highs in sacks as well, while Bonitto earned his first Pro Bowl selection and his first second-team All-Pro nod.

And as several other players stepped up in big ways for Denver this year, Paton noted that it has been encouraging to see several individuals reach their potential.

"I think it was great," Paton said of seeing players develop. "It's a credit to those players and really it's a credit to the coaching staff, [Payton] and the coaches developing those players and the rookies this year. The player development staff, the sports performance staff. ... It takes a village to develop these players. We like these players. They have great make up. I think we had five All-Pro players. They all developed at different rates and different stages."

As the Broncos look to continue to build with a young and hungry team, this developmental piece will continue to be an essential part of the team's success.

HC SEAN PAYTON SEARCHING FOR 'JOKER' PLAYMAKER

As Payton continues to build his offense around Nix, he is still in search of several key pieces. Payton noted that the running back position is one specific point of emphasis, but he also mentioned the importance of identifying what he has often referred to as a "Joker" player.

A player that can give Denver's offense a competitive edge through a unique skill set, Payton believes unlocking the potential of that offensive weapon can be a difference-maker for the Broncos in 2025.

"I know how much it can help," Payton said of having that playmaker.

Payton noted that he has seen the impact of several such players throughout his NFL coaching career, and though he said it was something he "didn't really appreciate it at the time," he now recognizes the importance.

Payton also stressed that many of the top teams around the league have unlocked that unique offensive weapon, and he said it will be important to spend the offseason considering which players can give Denver's offense that competitive advantage.

"Do I think we have some candidates? Yeah," Payton said. "But, that inner triangle of attacking a defense is real important."