Full History Of Denver Broncos In Timeline From 1959

August 14, 1959: Franchise Founded

On August 14, 1959, the Denver Broncos were founded when Bob Howsam was awarded an AFL charter franchise.

September 9, 1960: First AFL Game Win

On September 9, 1960, the Denver Broncos won their first-ever AFL game, defeating the Boston Patriots 13-10.

1960: AFL Charter Membership

In 1960, the Broncos became charter members of the American Football League (AFL).

1960: Original Uniform Debut

In 1960, the Broncos debuted their original uniforms featuring white and mustard yellow jerseys, contrasting brown helmets, brown pants, and vertically striped socks.

1960: First Season

Since their first season in 1960, the Broncos have an all-time record of 518–472–10 as of the 2024 season.

May 1961: Gerald Phipps Purchased Team

In May 1961, Gerald Phipps purchased the Denver Broncos from original owner Bob Howsam.

1962: Broncos Record

In 1962, the Denver Broncos won 7 games and lost 7 games.

1962: New Logo and Colors

In 1962, the team unveiled a new logo featuring a bucking horse and changed their team colors to orange, royal blue, and white.

1965: Local Ownership Group Takes Control

In 1965, a local ownership group took control of the Denver Broncos to prevent the franchise from potentially relocating.

1965: Inception of Throwback Uniforms

In 1965, the Broncos' uniforms that were later used as throwback uniforms in 1994 were originally worn.

August 5, 1967: First AFL Win Over NFL Team

On August 5, 1967, the Denver Broncos became the first AFL team to defeat an NFL team, winning 13-7 against the Detroit Lions in a preseason game.

1967: Floyd Little signs with Broncos

In 1967, "Franchise" Floyd Little signed with the Broncos, being instrumental in keeping the team in Denver.

1968: "Orange Crush" Design Debut

In 1968, the Broncos debuted the "Orange Crush" design, with a redesigned logo and royal blue helmets.

1968: Inspiration From Old Uniform

The block-style numerals trimmed in navy blue in the Color Rush uniform mirrored the team's 1968-1996 uniform style.

1969: Orange Pants Debut

From 1969 to 1971, the team wore orange pants with their white jerseys.

1969: AFL Years

The Broncos and Patriots played twice annually during the American Football League (AFL) years from 1960 to 1969.

1970: Joined the NFL

In 1970, the Denver Broncos joined the National Football League (NFL) as part of the merger between the AFL and NFL, marking a significant transition for the team.

1970: Home Game Sellout Streak

Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, the team has sold out every home game, except for two replacement games during the 1987 strike.

1971: Orange Pants

From 1969 to 1971, the team wore orange pants with their white jerseys.

1971: Start of Last Back-to-Back Losing Seasons

In 1971, the Broncos began a streak of back-to-back losing seasons, which would continue into 1972.

1971: White Jerseys at Home

The Broncos wore their white jerseys at home throughout the 1971 season.

1972: John Ralston Hired as Head Coach

In 1972, John Ralston was hired as the head coach of the Denver Broncos.

1972: End of Last Back-to-Back Losing Seasons

In 1972, the Broncos finished a streak of back-to-back losing seasons that started in 1971.

1973: Ralston Named AFC Coach of the Year

In 1973, John Ralston was named UPI's AFC Coach of the Year after leading the Denver Broncos to their first winning season.

1973: First Winning Season

In 1973, the Denver Broncos achieved their first winning season in franchise history.

1974: Best Home Record

From 1974 to 2006, the Broncos had the best home record in pro football with 191-65-1.

1975: Face Mask Change

In 1975, the face masks were changed to white from grey.

1976: Ralston's Final Season and Player Discontent

In 1976, John Ralston finished the season with a 9-5 record, but due to player discontent he resigned after the season.

1976: Holtz Doesn't Finish Season

In 1976, Lou Holtz did not finish the season as coach.

1977: AFC West Rivals

From 1977 to 2001, the Broncos and Seattle Seahawks were AFC West rivals.

1977: Throwback Uniform Homage

In 1977, a throwback uniform pays homage to the iconic royal blue "D" helmets from the Orange Crush era.

1977: AFC Championship Victory

In 1977, the Broncos advanced to their first Super Bowl by defeating the defending champion Raiders in the AFC Championship.

1977: "Orange Crush" Throwback Uniform

In 1977, the Broncos also unveiled a throwback "Orange Crush" uniform along with the royal blue "D-horse" helmet.

1977: First Playoff Appearance and Super Bowl XII Berth

In 1977, the Denver Broncos made their first playoff appearance and advanced to Super Bowl XII, fueled by the "Orange Crush Defense".

1977: AFC West Rivalry with Seattle Begins

In 1977, the Seattle Seahawks became AFC West rivals with the Denver Broncos.

1978: Orange Pants Return

From 1978 to 1979, the team wore orange pants with their white jerseys.

1978: McCulley Doesn't Finish Season

In 1978, Pete McCulley did not finish the season as coach.

1979: Orange Pants

From 1978 to 1979, the team wore orange pants with their white jerseys.

1979: Last time of orange pants

In 1979, the team previously wore orange pants.

1980: White Jerseys at Home

The Broncos wore their white jerseys for 1980 home games against the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys.

1981: Dan Reeves Hired as Head Coach

In 1981, Dan Reeves became the youngest head coach in the NFL when he joined the Denver Broncos as vice president and head coach.

1981: Team Sold to Edgar Kaiser Jr.

In 1981, Gerald Phipps sold the Denver Broncos to Canadian financier Edgar Kaiser Jr.

1983: Elway Era Begins

From 1983 to 1998, John Elway was the Broncos' starting quarterback, leading to memorable matchups with the Kansas City Chiefs.

1983: Gary Kubiak's Career

In 1983, Gary Kubiak started serving as a backup quarterback to John Elway.

1983: Elway's Rookie Season

In 1983, John Elway started week 1 of his rookie season, a feat not repeated until Bo Nix in 2024.

1983: Playoff Loss to Seattle

In 1983, the Broncos lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL playoffs.

1983: Last Time Broncos Wore White Jerseys at Home

Prior to November 16, 2003, the last time the Broncos wore white jerseys at home was in 1983.

1983: White Jerseys at Home

The Broncos wore their white jerseys for 1983 home games against the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals.

1984: Pat Bowlen Becomes Owner

In 1984, Pat Bowlen became the owner of the Denver Broncos.

1985: Comparison to 1985 Bears

In 2015, the Broncos' defense was so good that people compared it to the 1985 Bears.

1986: AFC Championship

In 1986, the Denver Broncos won the AFC Championship.

1986: The Drive

In the 1986 AFC Championship, John Elway led "The Drive" to tie the game, with the Broncos winning in overtime.

January 4, 1987: Elway's First Playoff Win

On January 4, 1987, the Broncos and Patriots played their first playoff match, which was John Elway's first career playoff win.

1987: AFC Championship

In 1987, the Denver Broncos won the AFC Championship.

1987: Strike Games

In 1987, two replacement games during the strike were not sold out, breaking the streak.

1988: Shanahan Coaches the Raiders

In 1988, Mike Shanahan coached the Raiders before being fired the following season.

1989: Shanahan Fired from the Raiders

In 1989, Mike Shanahan was fired four games into the season from his head coaching role with the Raiders.

1989: AFC Championship

In 1989, the Denver Broncos won the AFC Championship.

1991: Gary Kubiak's Career

In 1991, Gary Kubiak finished serving as a backup quarterback to John Elway.

1991: Feuding Begins

The last year of the Reeves-Elway era was marked by feuding, due to Reeves taking on play-calling duties after ousting Elway's favorite offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan after the 1991 season.

1992: Dan Reeves Fired

In 1992, Dan Reeves was fired as head coach of the Denver Broncos.

1994: Wade Phillips Fired

In 1994, Wade Phillips was fired after a mediocre season.

1994: Throwback Uniforms

In 1994, the Broncos wore their 1965 throwback uniforms for two games to celebrate the NFL's 75th anniversary season.

1995: Gary Kubiak Becomes Broncos Offensive Coordinator

In 1995, Gary Kubiak became the Broncos' offensive coordinator.

1995: Mike Shanahan's First Season

In 1995, Mike Shanahan began his tenure as the head coach of the Denver Broncos.

1995: Mike Shanahan Returns as Head Coach

In 1995, Mike Shanahan returned to the Denver Broncos as head coach and the team drafted Terrell Davis.

1995: Frequent Matchups

Since 1995, the Broncos and Patriots have met frequently during the regular season, including nine consecutive seasons from 1995 to 2003.

1996: Playoff Upset

In 1996, The Jacksonville Jaguars upset the Broncos 30-27 in the divisional round of the playoffs.

1996: Inspiration From Old Uniform

The block-style numerals trimmed in navy blue in the Color Rush uniform mirrored the team's 1968-1996 uniform style.

1996: Salary Cap Circumvention

The league investigation found that the Denver Broncos circumvented the salary cap during the 1996 season.

February 4, 1997: New Logo and Uniforms Unveiled

On February 4, 1997, the Broncos unveiled their new logo and uniforms featuring a horse's head profile, navy blue as a primary color, and a modern design.

1997: Initial Design of Navy Blue Pants

In 1997, navy blue pants were initially designed as part of the uniform change, although their introduction was delayed.

1997: Switch to Navy Blue Jersey

In 1997, navy blue replaced royal blue on the team's color scheme and served as the primary home jersey until the end of the 2011 season.

1997: Divisional Playoff Victory

In 1997, the Broncos defeated the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, on their way to their first Super Bowl victory.

1997: Broncos win Super Bowl

In 1997, the Broncos won their first Super Bowl, beginning a streak of back-to-back Super Bowl wins.

1997: Uniform Change

In 1997, the Denver Broncos had their first uniform change since the 1997 season, unveiling the "Mile High Collection".

1997: Super Bowl XXXII Championship

In 1997, the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl XXXII, marking their first Super Bowl victory.

1997: AFC Championship Victory

In the 1997 AFC Championship, the Broncos defeated the Steelers 24-21, on their way to their first Super Bowl victory.

1997: Previous Redesign

The new design eliminated the mismatched jersey and pant stripes that characterized their 1997 redesign.

1998: Peyton Manning's Rookie Year

In 1998, Peyton Manning had his rookie year with the Indianapolis Colts.

1998: Broncos win Super Bowl

In 1998, the Broncos won their second Super Bowl, continuing a streak of back-to-back Super Bowl wins.

1998: Super Bowl XXXIII Championship

In 1998, the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl XXXIII, securing their second Super Bowl title.

1998: John Elway Retirement

John Elway retired following the 1998 season.

1998: Last AFC West Division Title

The Broncos had not won the AFC West division since 1998.

1999: Injuries Affect Season

In 1999, the Broncos had a 6-10 record, mostly due to a season-ending injury to Terrell Davis.

1999: Last Losing Season

The 2007 season was the Broncos' first losing season since 1999.

2000: Wild Card Playoff Berth

In 2000, the Broncos earned a Wild Card playoff berth, but lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

2000: Comparison to 2000 Ravens

In 2015, the Broncos' defense was so good that people compared it to the 2000 Ravens.

2000: Final Season at Mile High Stadium

The 2000 season was the Denver Broncos' final season playing home games at Mile High Stadium, concluding a significant chapter in the team's history at that venue.

2001: End of AFC West Rivalry

From 1977 to 2001, the Broncos and Seattle Seahawks were AFC West rivals.

2001: Brady vs. Manning

From 2001 until Manning's retirement after the 2015 season, Peyton Manning and Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady maintained a legendary rivalry.

2001: Thanksgiving Throwback Game

In 2001, the Broncos wore orange jerseys as a throwback uniform for a Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys.

2001: Inaugural Season at Empower Field at Mile High

In 2001, the Denver Broncos began playing their regular season home games at Empower Field at Mile High (then known as Invesco Field at Mile High), marking a new era for the team's home venue.

2001: End of AFC West Rivalry with Seattle

In 2001, the Seattle Seahawks were realigned to the NFC West, ending their time as an AFC West rival of the Broncos.

2001: Move to Invesco Field

In 2001, the team moved into Invesco Field at Mile High.

2002: Fox Previously Head Coach of Panthers

From 2002 to 2010, John Fox previously served as the Carolina Panthers' head coach

2002: Introduction of Alternate Orange Jersey

In 2002, the Broncos introduced an alternate orange jersey that mirrored the navy blue jerseys in design.

2002: NFL Strips Team of Third-Round Pick

In 2002, the NFL stripped the Denver Broncos of their third-round pick as punishment for salary cap circumvention.

2002: Seahawks Move to NFC

In 2002, the Seattle Seahawks moved to the NFC West.

2002: Comparison to 2002 Buccaneers

In 2015, the Broncos' defense was so good that people compared it to the 2002 Buccaneers.

November 16, 2003: Broncos Wear White Jerseys at Home

On November 16, 2003, the Broncos wore their white jerseys at home for the first time since 1983 due to a uniform mix-up with the San Diego Chargers.

2003: Jake Plummer Replaces Brian Griese

In 2003, Jake Plummer replaced Brian Griese as quarterback and led the Broncos to two straight 10-6 seasons.

2003: Introduction of Navy Blue Pants

In 2003, the Broncos introduced navy blue pants with orange side streaks, designed to match the navy blue jerseys.

2003: Frequent Matchups

Since 1995, the Broncos and Patriots have met frequently during the regular season, including nine consecutive seasons from 1995 to 2003.

2003: White Jerseys at Home

The Broncos wore white jerseys at home for the first time since 2003.

2004: Denver Post Policy Change

In 2004, The Denver Post dropped its official policy of referring to the stadium as simply "Mile High Stadium".

2004: Limited Use of Alternate Orange Jersey

In the 2004 season, the alternate orange jersey was used sparingly, similar to its usage in 2002.

2004: Bowlen places team ownership into family trust

Sometime before 2004, Pat Bowlen placed the Denver Broncos team ownership into a family trust.

2005: Gary Kubiak Leaves Broncos

In 2005, Gary Kubiak left the Broncos' offensive coordinator position.

2005: AFC West Division Title

In 2005, the Denver Broncos won their first AFC West division title since 1998 and defeated the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the playoffs.

2005: NFL Strips Team of Third-Round Pick

In 2005, the NFL stripped the Denver Broncos of their third-round pick as punishment for salary cap circumvention.

2005: AFC Championship Loss

In 2005, the Steelers defeated the Broncos 34-17 in the AFC Championship.

January 14, 2006: First Playoff Win Post-Elway

On January 14, 2006, the Broncos achieved their first playoff win since John Elway's retirement, notable for Champ Bailey's interception.

2006: Best Home Record

From 1974 to 2006, the Broncos had the best home record in pro football with 191-65-1.

2006: "Bad Blue" Defense

In 2006, The Denver Broncos' defense began the first five games allowing only one touchdown, leading to them being named the "Bad Blue" defense. Later in the season, Plummer was replaced by Cutler at quarterback.

2007: Petrino Doesn't Finish Season

In 2007, Bobby Petrino did not finish the season as coach.

2007: Losing Season

In 2007, The Denver Broncos had their first losing season since 1999, with a 7-9 record.

2008: Shanahan Fired

Following an 8-8 season in 2008, Mike Shanahan was fired after 14 seasons as the head coach.

2008: Limited Use of Navy Blue Pants

In the 2008 season, the navy blue pants were not used.

2008: Increased Use of Alternate Orange Jersey

Starting in 2008, the alternate orange jersey was used twice per season, a change from its limited use in previous years.

January 11, 2009: Josh McDaniels Hired as Head Coach

On January 11, 2009, Josh McDaniels was hired as the head coach of the Denver Broncos.

September 4, 2009: 50th Anniversary Team Voting Closure

On September 4, 2009, the voting by users at DenverBroncos.com closed for the club's 50th anniversary team.

September 15, 2009: 50th Anniversary Team Announcement

On September 15, 2009, the Denver Broncos announced the club's 50th anniversary team.

October 11, 2009: Anniversary Game

On October 11, 2009, the Broncos and Patriots met with Josh McDaniels as the Broncos' head coach, both teams wore their AFL 50th anniversary jerseys.

2009: Missed Playoffs

In 2009, the Broncos missed the playoffs, finishing 8-8.

2009: 50th Anniversary Throwback Uniforms

In 2009, the Broncos wore their 1960 throwback uniforms for games against two fellow AFL rivals to honor their 50th anniversary.

2010: Elway and Fox Join Broncos

Following the 2010 season, John Elway returned to the Broncos as executive vice president of football operations, and John Fox was hired as the team's head coach.

2010: McDaniels Fired

In 2010, Josh McDaniels was fired before the end of the season, and Tebow became the starting quarterback for the final three games.

2010: Last Playoff Appearance Until 2016

In 2010, the Broncos last appeared in the playoffs.

2010: End of KCNC Partnership

Until 2010, preseason games not selected for airing on national television were shown on KCNC, channel 4.

May 26, 2011: New Television Partner

On May 26, 2011, the Broncos announced that KUSA channel 9, an NBC affiliate, will be the team's new television partner for preseason games.

2011: End of Navy Blue Jersey Era

At the end of the 2011 season, the navy blue jerseys, which had been the team's primary home jersey since 1997, were replaced.

2011: "Tebow Time" Begins

Following a 1-4 start in the 2011 season, Tim Tebow became the Broncos' starting quarterback, leading the team to a playoff berth and a division title.

2011: Continued Use of Navy Blue Pants

From 2003 to 2011, the navy blue pants were used for select prime-time and late-season home games (excluding 2008).

2011: Manning Misses Season

In 2011 Peyton Manning missed the entire season following multiple neck surgeries

2011: Sports Authority Naming Rights

In 2011, Sports Authority claimed the naming rights of Invesco Field, which became known as Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

2011: Partnership with KJMN

In 2011, the Broncos began a partnership with KJMN, 92.1 FM, a Spanish language radio station.

2011: Continued Use of Alternate Orange Jersey

In 2011, the Broncos continued to use the alternate orange jersey twice per season.

2011: End of Navy Blue Jersey as Primary Home Jersey

In 2011, the navy blue jersey was the primary home jersey.

2011: Divisional Round Loss

In the Divisional round of the 2011 playoffs, the Patriots defeated the Broncos 45-10.

2011: The 3:16 Game

In the Wild Card round of the 2011 playoffs, Tim Tebow connected with Demaryius Thomas for an 80-yard game-winning touchdown in overtime, in a game dubbed "The 3:16 Game".

March 2012: Peyton Manning Signs with Broncos

In March 2012, Peyton Manning signed a five-year contract with the Denver Broncos, leading to Tim Tebow being traded.

2012: Ed McCaffrey as Color Commentator

Beginning in 2012, Ed McCaffrey served as the color commentator, replacing Brian Griese.

2012: Manning Joins Broncos

From 2012 to 2015, Peyton Manning became the Broncos' starting quarterback, intensifying the rivalry with Tom Brady and the Patriots.

2012: Monday Night Comeback

In 2012, Peyton Manning led the Broncos from a 24–0 halftime deficit to a 35–24 victory against the Chargers on Monday Night Football.

2012: Orange Jerseys Become Primary Home Jersey

In 2012, the orange jerseys became the primary home jersey due to fan demand, while the navy blue jerseys became the alternate.

2012: Stadium Upgrades Announced

In late 2012, the Broncos announced that the stadium would receive $30 million upgrades including a new video board.

2012: Peyton Manning Re-Issues No. 18

In the 2012 season, No. 18 was re-issued for Peyton Manning with approval after being retired, who used it until his retirement.

2012: Exclusive Use of Navy Blue Pants

Since 2012, the navy blue pants have been used exclusively with the alternate navy blue jerseys.

October 6, 2013: Broncos Wear Alternate Navy Blue Uniforms in Road Game

On October 6, 2013, the Broncos wore their alternate navy blue uniforms for a road game at the Dallas Cowboys, winning 51–48.

2013: One-Helmet Rule Implementation

In 2013, due to the NFL's one-helmet rule implementation, the helmets remained the same while the team temporarily replaced the modern primary logo with the throwback "D-horse" logo.

2013: Broncos Finish with 13-3 Record and AFC No. 1 Seed

In 2013, the Broncos finished with a 13–3 record and the AFC's No. 1 seed, breaking offensive records and QB Peyton Manning shattering quarterback records. They defeated the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots in the playoffs but lost Super Bowl XLVIII to the Seattle Seahawks.

2013: AFC Championship

In 2013, the Denver Broncos won the AFC Championship.

2013: Renovations Complete

In 2013, the stadium renovations were finished before kickoff of the season.

January 12, 2014: Playoff Victory Over Chargers

On January 12, 2014, the Broncos defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 24–17 in the playoffs.

February 2, 2014: Super Bowl XLVIII

On February 2, 2014, the Broncos played in Super Bowl XLVIII, losing to the Seattle Seahawks 43-8.

2014: Bowlen Cedes Team Control to Joe Ellis

In 2014, due to his battle with Alzheimer's disease, Pat Bowlen ceded day-to-day control of the Denver Broncos to Joe Ellis.

2014: Pat Bowlen Relinquishes Control of Broncos

Prior to the start of the 2014 season, owner Pat Bowlen relinquished control of the team due to Alzheimer's disease. The Broncos finished the 2014 season with a 12–4 record but lost to the Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional round. Peyton Manning played the final month with strained quadriceps.

January 12, 2015: Broncos and John Fox Mutually Part Ways

On January 12, 2015, the Broncos and head coach John Fox mutually agreed to part ways. Fox left with the highest winning percentage in franchise history.

November 1, 2015: Broncos Wear Super Bowl XXXII Uniform Ensemble

On November 1, 2015, the Broncos wore white pants with orange side stripes in a game vs. the Green Bay Packers to match the uniform ensemble used during their Super Bowl XXXII win.

2015: Broncos Hire Gary Kubiak and have #1 Defense

In 2015, Gary Kubiak became head coach, Wade Phillips was hired as defensive coordinator, and the Broncos' defense became the No. 1 defense in the NFL. The Broncos finished with a 12–4 record, defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots in the playoffs, and won Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers.

2015: Chiefs Losing Streak

In 2015, The Broncos started their losing streak against the Kansas City Chiefs.

2015: First 10-Win Season Since 2015

In 2015, the Broncos achieved their first 10-win season since 2015.

2015: Super Bowl 50 Championship and AFC Championship

In 2015, the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50 and the AFC Championship.

2015: Peyton Manning Retirement

In the 2015 season, Peyton Manning retired after using No. 18, which was previously retired, with his name added to the retired number's banner as an honorable mention.

2015: Divisional Round Victory

In the Divisional round of the 2015 playoffs, the Broncos defeated the Steelers 23-16 on their way to a Super Bowl 50 victory.

March 7, 2016: Peyton Manning Retires

On March 7, 2016, quarterback Peyton Manning retired after 18 NFL seasons.

October 13, 2016: Color Rush Uniform Debut

On October 13, 2016, the Broncos unveiled their new Color Rush uniform for a Thursday Night game at the San Diego Chargers, featuring orange pants and block-style numerals.

2016: No Shutouts At Home

As of the 2016 season, the Broncos have never been shut out at home, a streak of over 400 games.

2016: Broncos Miss Playoffs

In 2016, following Peyton Manning's retirement, the Broncos acquired Mark Sanchez and drafted Paxton Lynch. Trevor Siemian was named the starter, and the Broncos finished the season 9–7, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

2016: Best Season Since 2023

In 2016, the Broncos had their best season until 2023.

2016: First Winning Season Since 2016

In 2016, the Broncos secured their first winning season since 2016.

2016: Stadium Renamed Broncos Stadium

In the summer of 2016, Sports Authority went bankrupt, and the stadium was renamed Broncos Stadium at Mile High.

2016: End of Successful Era

The year 2016 marked the end of a highly successful era for the Denver Broncos from 1973 onwards, during which they only had 11 losing seasons and won 3 Super Bowls.

January 2, 2017: Gary Kubiak Retires

On January 2, 2017, coach Gary Kubiak announced his retirement, citing health reasons.

January 11, 2017: Broncos Hire Vance Joseph

On January 11, 2017, the Broncos hired Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph as head coach.

2017: Broncos Finish 5-11

In 2017, the Broncos finished 5-11.

2017: Color Rush Uniform Used Again

In the 2017 season, the Color Rush uniform was used for a Thursday night game against the Indianapolis Colts.

March 14, 2018: Broncos Sign Case Keenum

On March 14, 2018, the Broncos signed quarterback Case Keenum in an effort to address poor offensive production.

March 19, 2018: Broncos Trade Trevor Siemian

On March 19, 2018, the Broncos traded Trevor Siemian to the Minnesota Vikings.

May 1, 2018: Broncos Sign Phillip Lindsay

On May 1, 2018, the Broncos signed undrafted free agent running back Phillip Lindsay.

December 18, 2018: Phillip Lindsay Voted to Pro Bowl

On December 18, 2018, Phillip Lindsay was voted to the 2019 Pro Bowl, making him the first undrafted offensive rookie in NFL history to be voted to a Pro Bowl.

2018: Color Rush Uniform Used Again

During a 2018 game, the Color Rush uniform was used again against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2018: Broncos Finish 6-10

In 2018, the Broncos finished with a 6–10 record, placing third in the AFC West. Vance Joseph was fired after the season.

January 10, 2019: Broncos Hire Vic Fangio

On January 10, 2019, the Broncos hired Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio as head coach.

February 13, 2019: Broncos Trade for Joe Flacco

On February 13, 2019, Joe Flacco was traded to the Broncos from the Baltimore Ravens.

September 2019: Stadium Renamed Empower Field

In September 2019, the stadium was renamed Empower Field at Mile High.

October 6, 2019: Broncos Defeat Chargers for 500th Win

On October 6, 2019, the Broncos defeated the Los Angeles Chargers for their 500th win, bringing their win–loss record to 500–432.

December 1, 2019: Drew Lock's First Start

On December 1, 2019, rookie quarterback Drew Lock started for the Broncos for the first time, leading the team to a 4-1 record to end the season.

2019: Phillip Lindsay Voted to Pro Bowl

In 2019, Phillip Lindsay was voted to the Pro Bowl, making him the first undrafted offensive rookie in NFL history to be voted to a Pro Bowl.

November 29, 2020: Kendall Hinton Starts at Quarterback

On November 29, 2020, after all three of the Broncos' quarterbacks were placed in COVID-19 protocol, wide receiver Kendall Hinton started as the emergency quarterback.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Broncos

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 NFL season lacked a preseason or full training camps. Star linebacker Von Miller suffered a season-ending injury before the regular season, and starting wide receiver Courtland Sutton suffered a season-ending injury during a week two game.

2020: Broncos Finish Last in AFC West

In 2020, the Broncos finished the season with a record of 5–11, last in the AFC West, missing the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.

April 28, 2021: Broncos Trade for Teddy Bridgewater

On April 28, 2021, the Broncos traded for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

July 2021: Hinton's Wristband Added to Hall of Fame

In July 2021, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that Kendall Hinton's quarterback wristband would be added to the Hall of Fame as part of a display.

August 25, 2021: Teddy Bridgewater Named Starting Quarterback

On August 25, 2021, Teddy Bridgewater was named the Broncos' starting quarterback.

October 31, 2021: Peyton Manning Inducted into Ring of Fame

On October 31, 2021, Peyton Manning was inducted into the Broncos' Ring of Fame.

November 1, 2021: Broncos Trade Von Miller

On November 1, 2021, the Broncos traded Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams.

2021: Meyer Doesn't Finish Season

In 2021, Urban Meyer did not finish the season as coach.

2021: Broncos Finish Season 7-10

In 2021, the Broncos finished the season with a 7-10 record.

2021: Broncos Improve Defensive Secondary

In 2021, the Broncos made improvements in the defensive secondary, signing Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby, and drafting Patrick Surtain II. Javonte Williams replaced Phillip Lindsay.

January 8, 2022: Vic Fangio Dismissed

On January 8, 2022, head coach Vic Fangio was dismissed after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs and a mediocre performance in the 2021 season.

January 27, 2022: Broncos Hire Nathaniel Hackett

On January 27, 2022, the Broncos announced the hiring of Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as head coach.

February 1, 2022: Broncos Up for Sale

On February 1, 2022, the Broncos announced that they were up for sale, parting ways with the Bowlen family.

February 2, 2022: Justin Outten Hired as Offensive Coordinator

On February 2, 2022, Justin Outten was hired as offensive coordinator for the Broncos.

March 16, 2022: Broncos Trade for Russell Wilson

On March 16, 2022, the Broncos traded multiple players and draft picks for Russell Wilson and a fourth-round pick.

June 7, 2022: Walton-Penner Group to Acquire Broncos

On June 7, 2022, the Broncos announced that the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group had entered an agreement to acquire the team for $4.65 billion.

July 2022: Team Value

In July 2022, Forbes valued the Denver Broncos at $4.65 billion, ranking them as the twelfth most valuable team in the NFL.

August 10, 2022: NFL Approves Walton-Penner Bid

On August 10, 2022, the NFL approved the Walton-Penner Group's bid to acquire the Broncos.

October 30, 2022: Broncos Debut New Uniform Combination in London Game

On October 30, 2022, the Broncos debuted a new combination of white jerseys and alternate navy blue pants in an NFL London Game at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

2022: Broncos Receive Draft Picks

In 2022, the Broncos received a 2nd and 3rd round pick in the NFL draft for trading Von Miller.

January 31, 2023: Sean Payton Accepts Head Coaching Job

On January 31, 2023, Sean Payton accepted the head coaching job for the Denver Broncos.

2023: All-Time Series Lead

As of the 2023 season, the Broncos lead the all-time series against the Patriots 31-24.

2023: Playoff Matchup History

As of the end of the 2023 season, the Broncos and Steelers have met in postseason play eight times.

2023: Broncos Finish Season 8-9

In 2023, the Broncos finished the season 8–9, their best record since 2016, but still missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. Contract disputes caused Russell Wilson to be benched.