The Denver Broncos were one of the NFL’s biggest surprises in 2024, riding an impressive rookie season from quarterback Bo Nix to a playoff berth. Though their postseason run ended with a 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round, the overall campaign was a major step forward—and it’s raised the bar for 2025.
With expectations now higher, Denver enters the new season with renewed optimism and a roster full of emerging talent. Given that momentum, the front office could explore a bold move to further boost their playoff chances.
That’s right—a bold trade for a star wide receiver is being floated as a potential next step for the Broncos as they look to build on their 2024 success. With Bo Nix proving he can lead an NFL offense, surrounding him with a true No. 1 weapon could significantly elevate Denver’s attack and fast-track their playoff aspirations.
It’s a move that would mirror what other young QBs have benefited from in recent years—think Jalen Hurts with A.J. Brown or Tua Tagovailoa with Tyreek Hill.
The article suggests Denver as a logical landing spot for Washington Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin, citing the need for a proven veteran to stabilize the Broncos’ young receiver group. Adding McLaurin would give Bo Nix a reliable target and reduce the pressure on players like Marvin Mims Jr., Tim Patrick (returning from injury), and rookie prospects to carry the load.
The piece also points out that a “sophomore slump” is possible for Nix—drawing comparisons to Dak Prescott in 2017 and C.J. Stroud in 2024—and that surrounding him with established talent like McLaurin could help mitigate that risk.
If the Broncos were to land Terry McLaurin, it could transform their offense from promising to potentially elite. McLaurin’s consistent production—highlighted by 82 catches, 1,096 yards, and 13 touchdowns in 2024—would instantly give Bo Nix a true No. 1 receiver who can stretch defenses and win tough matchups.
Pairing McLaurin with Courtland Sutton would create one of the more balanced and dangerous receiver tandems in the AFC. Defenses would be forced to pick their poison, which could open up more space for complementary targets like Marvin Mims Jr., rookie Troy Franklin (a former Nix teammate), and Devaughn Vele.
For Nix, this kind of move would significantly raise his floor heading into Year 2 by giving him a trusted, experienced target who can get open quickly—an ideal scenario for a young quarterback adjusting to defensive adjustments.
Supporting a rising quarterback like Bo Nix with a dependable, high-level receiver is exactly the kind of move that can accelerate a team’s trajectory—and that’s where Terry McLaurin fits in perfectly. After throwing for 3,775 yards and accounting for 33 total touchdowns as a rookie, Nix has already shown flashes of elite upside. Giving him a reliable route-runner with McLaurin’s experience and consistency could be the catalyst that turns promise into Pro Bowl-caliber production in Year 2.
It’s still speculative, but it’s the kind of bold, forward-thinking move that could define the Broncos’ rebuild—and possibly reshape the AFC West.
