What happened: The Denver Broncos have signed head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton to five-year contract extensions, securing their partnership through the 2030 season. The move comes after a dominant 2025 campaign in which the Broncos finished 14-3 and captured the AFC West title.

Why it matters: The extensions reward a dramatic three-year turnaround that has seen Denver go 32-19 since Payton’s arrival in 2023. Under Payton, the Broncos have stabilized following years of coaching turnover, reaching last season's AFC Championship Game while establishing a top-three league win total.

What to watch: Denver enters the 2026 season as a top AFC contender with quarterback Bo Nix returning from the ankle injury that hampered the team's playoff run.