The perfect offseason trade the Broncos need to make after their AFC Championship loss

The Denver Broncos‘ The 2025 season will be remembered for its resilience, resurgence and ultimately, its heartbreaking conclusion in the snow at Empower Field in Mile High. Losing the AFC Championship game for the New England Patriots is a pill that will taste bitter for a long time, especially given the circumstances.

With the sensation of a beginner Bo Nick sidelined with an injury in the Divisional Round, veteran backup Jarrett Stidham did an admirable job, but the attack simply ran out of firepower when it mattered most.

While the defense, led by coordinator Vance Joseph, played championship-caliber football, the loss exposed a glaring weakness that has plagued the team for years: the lack of a true game-changing alpha wide receiver. That unit ranked second in total defense and third in scoring defense, allowing just 18.3 points per game. They surrendered a measly 278.2 yards per contest, stifling opponents week after week.

As the Broncos head into the 2026 offseason, general manager George Patton and head coach Sean Payton have a clear mandate. In order to maximize Bo Nix’s rookie deadline and take the final step toward the Super Bowl, the Broncos must make an immediate trade for Philadelphia Eagles star AJ Brown.

An obvious need for a true No. 1 receiver

Peyton didn’t fade in his postgame press conference, admitting that dropped passes and an inability to get separation were fatal flaws against a disciplined Patriots secondary. Despite Cortland Sutton’s best efforts and occasional flashes from young players like Marvin Mims Jr., the Broncos’ receiving corps lacked an intimidating presence.

The numbers support the eye test. The tight end position, specifically Adam Trautman, is a non-factor, with just 55 catches for 587 yards and six touchdowns in 51 games over three seasons. While the running game found some rhythm with JK Dobbins, the passing offense often stalled at critical moments.

In the modern NFL, you can’t win consistently without a receiver commanding a double team and still winning. The Patriots were able to stifle the Broncos’ limited opportunities because they weren’t afraid of either playmaker taking away the top of the defense or turning a slant into a 60-yard touchdown.

This is not just about fixing drops; it’s about changing the geometry of the field for Nix. KB showed tremendous promise in his rookie campaign, showing off the speed and accuracy that earned him a first-round pick. But expecting him to develop into an elite quarterback without an elite weapon is a gamble the Broncos shouldn’t take. They need a “separator,” a player who can bail out the quarterback when the play breaks down.

Why AJ Brown is the perfect fit for Bo Nix

Philadelphia Eagles the receiver looks ready for a change landscape, and Denver should be the first team on the phone. Brown fits the Peyton archetype perfectly: He’s big, physical and dominant after the catch. At 29, he’s still in his prime and offers the kind of immediate impact the Broncos need.

Brown has been a model of consistency, posting four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He’s not a project like some draft picks, nor is he a risk-reward gamble like some younger trade targets who haven’t quite broken out. He is a proven commodity. Pairing Brown with Sutton would give the Broncos one of the most physical receiving duos in the league, a nightmare for smaller defensive backs.

Imagine the effect on the offense. With Braun’s demanding safety assistance over the top, the box is easy to run. Intermediate zones open up for tight ends. Most importantly, the Knicks get a security blanket winning 50/50 balls at an elite rate. In a conference loaded with offensive juggernauts, the Broncos can no longer afford to bring a knife into the shootout.

Balancing the Books: Defensive Casualties

Of course, acquiring a player of Brown’s caliber requires financial gymnastics. The Broncos enter the offseason with several key free agents on defensemost notably linebacker Alex Singleton and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers.

Singleton was the heart and soul of the defense. After being diagnosed with testicular cancer during the season, he missed only one game and returned to finish 13th in NFL in tackles. His efficiency was elite, with a 58% positive play rate, which ranked fifth among linebackers with at least 100 tackles. His playoff performance was nothing short of heroic, as he racked up 26 tackles in just two postseasons.

Similarly, Franklin-Myers was a force in the trenches. He recorded 14.5 sacks over his two seasons in Denver and ranked eighth among interior defensive linemen in pass-winning percentage in 2025.

However, the reality of the salary cap means Denver probably can’t keep everyone. To afford AJ Brown’s contract and the necessary offensive upgrades, the Broncos may have to let fan favorites like Singleton or Franklin-Myers enter free agency.

The The Broncos have a rare opportunity. They have a talented young quarterback on a rookie contract, a championship-winning coach and a roster that just reached the AFC Championship. The window is wide open, but it won’t stay that way forever. The trade for Brown signals to the locker room and fan base that the Broncos are “almost done.” Now they are ready to win.