Tensions are running high in the Mile High City as the Denver Broncos find themselves at the center of growing fan outrage following their humiliating 31–7 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. What was supposed to be a season of redemption under head coach Sean Payton and new leadership has now turned into a PR nightmare for the franchise.
Frustration Boils Over
The loss marked yet another disappointing chapter in what has been nearly a decade of mediocrity since Denver’s Super Bowl 50 victory in 2016. Fans flooded social media after the game, with hashtags like #SellTheTeam and #BroncosBroken trending locally. Several prominent fan forums have even begun calling for boycotts of games and team merchandise until changes are made at the top.
Ownership in the Hot Seat
CEO Greg Penner, who leads the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group, addressed the criticism but stopped short of offering concrete changes. “We understand the standard in Denver, and we didn’t meet it,” Penner said. “We hold ourselves accountable. The fans deserve better.”
However, for many Broncos fans, talk is cheap.
“The same speech every year,” said longtime fan Marcus Eldridge at a local watch party. “Ownership keeps apologizing, but nothing ever changes. It’s not just about losing — it’s how uninspired and chaotic this team looks.”
Trouble at All Levels
While much of the focus is on ownership, criticism has also been aimed at the front office and coaching staff. Questions are being raised about Payton’s quarterback choices, the lack of offensive consistency, and a defense that crumbled when it mattered most. Insiders suggest that locker room morale is low, and some players may be quietly seeking trades this offseason.
From Sellouts to Silence
Perhaps most alarming is the visible decline in fan engagement. The Broncos, once a guaranteed sellout at Empower Field, have seen a noticeable dip in attendance and energy. Empty seats were visible in multiple home games this season, a rarity for one of the NFL’s most loyal fanbases.
What’s Next?
The Broncos’ offseason promises to be dramatic. With fans demanding a clear rebuild strategy or front office shake-up, ownership will be under intense scrutiny. Draft decisions, coaching staff reviews, and free agency signings will need to send a message: that Denver is serious about winning again.
Until then, the looming question hangs over the city like a thundercloud: Is Denver doomed, or is this just the storm before the comeback?
