What happened: The Broncos have improved their win total in each of Sean Payton's three seasons in Denver, going from 8 wins to 10 to 14. That trajectory came alongside a reported new five-year agreement to keep Payton in Denver. The franchise gave up first- and second-round picks to land him in 2023.

Why it matters: A coach who raises a team's win total every year and earns the third-most wins in the NFL over that stretch belongs in any serious top-5 conversation. The steady climb, not a one-year spike, is what separates a system-builder from a flash in the pan. With the roster locked in heading into 2026, the arrow is still pointing up.