The 2018 season was the Denver Broncos' 49th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 59th overall.
After poor offensive statistics that resulted in a 5–11 record during the previous season, the Broncos hoped for improvement at the quarterback position, with the offseason signing of Case Keenum as well as the breakthrough of undrafted rookie running back Phillip Lindsay. Another rookie that made an impact was linebacker Bradley Chubb, who recorded 12 sacks following a slow start. However, for a third consecutive season, the Broncos scored 30 or more points only once, and midway through the season, longtime wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was traded to the Houston Texans.
Following a 3–6 start, the Broncos put together a three-game winning streak, with hopes of turning their season around and competing for a playoff spot. However, key late-season injuries to cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (fractured fibula) and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (ruptured Achilles tendon) derailed those hopes, sending the Broncos to a season-ending four-game losing streak and a 6–10 record – only a one-win improvement from 2017.
For the first time since 2010, the Broncos did not play the New England Patriots during the regular season.
The Broncos missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season, suffered back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1971–1972 and back-to-back double-digit losses for the first time since 1966–1967, resulting in the firing of head coach Vance Joseph at the end of the season. Joseph posted an 11–21 record in his two seasons as the Broncos' head coach. This was the third consecutive season with one game involving the Broncos getting at least 30 points.
This was also the 35th and final season under the ownership of Pat Bowlen, who died on June 13, 2019.
Coaching changes January 1: One day after the 2017 regular season finale, the Broncos parted ways with six coaching assistants, firing special teams coordinator Brock Olivo, running backs/assistant head coach Eric Studesville, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, outside linebackers coach Fred Pagac, defensive backs coach Johnnie Lynn and offensive line coach Jeff Davidson. Bill Musgrave, who was promoted to offensive coordinator midway through the 2017 season, shed the interim tag, and remained as the full-time offensive coordinator. January 3: Sean Kugler was hired as the new offensive line coach, replacing Jeff Davidson. Kugler, who will focus on the guards and centers, was the head coach at the University of Texas at El Paso from 2013 to 2017, and has previously served as an offensive line coach for the Detroit Lions (2004–2005), Buffalo Bills (2007–2009) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2010–2012). January 4: Mike Sullivan was hired as the new quarterbacks coach, while Curtis Modkins was hired as running backs coach. Sullivan was the New York Giants' quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator during the previous three seasons (2015–2017), while Modkins served as the Chicago Bears' running backs coach in 2017. Klint Kubiak, who was promoted to quarterbacks coach after Bill Musgrave was promoted to offensive coordinator midway through the 2017 season, will remain on the Broncos' staff as an offensive assistant. January 9: Tom McMahon was hired as the new special teams coordinator. McMahon served in the same capacity with the Indianapolis Colts from 2014 to 2017. January 10: Chris Strausser was promoted from an offensive assistant to offensive line coach, and will focus on the tackles. Greg Williams was hired as a defensive backs coach, and will focus on the cornerbacks. Williams worked in the same capacity with the Indianapolis Colts during the previous two seasons. Zach Azzanni was hired as wide receivers coach. Azzanni worked in the same capacity with the Chicago Bears in 2017. June 13: DeMarcus Ware, a former Broncos' defensive lineman from 2014 to 2016, was hired as a part-time pass-rush consultant, and will tutor the Broncos' next crop of pass rushers.
Front office changes On July 2, Tom Heckert Jr., who had worked as a director of pro personnel and senior personnel advisor since 2013, stepped down from his position due to health concerns and the expiration of his contract. Heckert was diagnosed with amyloidosis in 2015 and was placed on medical leave during the second half of that season. Heckert died on August 6, 2018, at the age of 51. Former Broncos' head coach Gary Kubiak remained as the team's lone senior personnel adviser until the end of the season.
Ownership sale On March 21, 2018, the Broncos announced that John Bowlen, the brother of majority owner Pat Bowlen, agreed to sell a portion of his minority stake in the franchise back to the team. The statement released by the team said: "The Denver Broncos have reached an agreement to purchase a portion of minority owner John Bowlen's share of the team, pending final approval from the NFL that is expected in the next few days. This transaction further consolidates Pat Bowlen's majority, controlling ownership interest in the Broncos while keeping 100 percent of the team in the Bowlen family. The acquisition of this share is independent of Mr. Bowlen's succession plan that is being administered by the Pat Bowlen Trust. John has been a great partner for many years, and we are very pleased he will remain a minority owner of the Denver Broncos."
Roster changes
Free agents
Unrestricted Position Player 2018 team Notes OT Allen Barbre None RB Jamaal Charles None DE Jared Crick None LB Todd Davis Denver Broncos re-signed March 14 WR Bennie Fowler III Chicago Bears originally an , signed with the Bears on April 16 TE Virgil Green Los Angeles Chargers signed with the Chargers on March 14 WR Cody Latimer New York Giants signed with the Giants on March 19 LB Corey Nelson Philadelphia Eagles signed with the Eagles on March 14 QB Brock Osweiler Miami Dolphins signed with the Dolphins on March 23 OT Donald Stephenson Cleveland Browns signed with the Browns on March 14 G Billy Turner Denver Broncos re-signed March 17 DE Billy Winn None
Restricted and Exclusive-Rights Position Player Tag 2018 team Notes LB Zaire Anderson None assigned tender on March 12, re-signed April 16, waived September 1 LB Shaquil Barrett Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 12, re-signed April 23 LB Jerrol Garcia-Williams ERFA None assigned tender on March 12, re-signed April 23,placed on injured reserve September 1 DE Shelby Harris ERFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 9, re-signed April 16 LB Joseph Jones ERFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 12, re-signed April 16 LS Casey Kreiter ERFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 12, re-signed April 6 C Matt Paradis RFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 12, re-signed April 20placed on injured reserve November 12 WR Jordan Taylor ERFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 12, re-signed April 16,placed on the PUP list September 1 OT Elijah Wilkinson ERFA Denver Broncos assigned tender on March 12, re-signed April 16
Signings Position Player 2017 Team Notes PK Taylor Bertolet None signed March 21, waived April 30 CB Tramaine Brock Minnesota Vikings signed March 14 WR Corey Brown Buffalo Bills signed July 27, designated as waived/injured on August 15 WR River Cracraft Practice squad promoted to the active roster on November 2 C Gino Gradkowski Carolina Panthers signed November 12 TE Temarrick Hemingway Practice squad promoted to the active roster on November 27 QB Kevin Hogan Cleveland Browns claimed off waivers on September 2 WR Andre Holmes Buffalo Bills claimed off waivers on December 5, placed on injured reserve December 28 CB Adam Jones Cincinnati Bengals signed August 26, waived November 20 QB Case Keenum Minnesota Vikings signed March 14 P Marquette King Oakland Raiders signed April 5, released October 8 LS Christian Kuntz None signed March 21, waived June 14 DT Caushaud Lyons None signed June 15, waived September 1 DT Clinton McDonald Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed March 21, released September 1 CB Craig Mager Los Angeles Chargers signed December 19 TE Brian Parker None promoted from the practice squad on September 29 CB Horace Richardson None signed December 28 CB C. J. Smith Cleveland Browns claimed off waivers on April 13, waived September 1 CB Jamar Taylor Cleveland Browns signed December 4, two weeks after being released by the Arizona Cardinals S Shamarko Thomas Buffalo Bills signed August 13, released September 1,signed September 11, waived December 11 P Colby Wadman None promoted from the practice squad to the active roster on October 6 LB Aaron Wallace Jr. None signed December 28 WR DeAndrew White Houston Texans claimed off waivers on August 15
Departures Position Player Notes RB C. J. Anderson released April 16 G J. J. Dielman designated as waived/injured on September 1 WR Carlos Henderson designated as Reserve/Did Not Report on July 25suspended August 15 for one week for violating the league's substance abuse policy,waived September 1, assigned to the practice squad on September 3,released from the practice squad on September 13 CB Michael Hunter waived September 1 OT Cyrus Kouandjio released September 1, re-signed November 20, released December 4 CB Brendan Langley waived September 1 assigned to the practice squad on September 3,promoted to the active roster on November 20 QB Chad Kelly released October 24, one day after being arrested on criminal trespassing charges QB Paxton Lynch waived September 2 WR Isaiah McKenzie waived September 1, re-signed September 2, waived September 10,assigned to the practice squad on September 12,promoted to the active roster on October 25, waived November 2 NT Kyle Peko waived September 1, assigned to the practice squad on September 3,waived September 11 CB Marcus Rios designated as waived/injured on September 1 TE Austin Traylor waived September 1
Trades April 23, Punter Riley Dixon was traded to the New York Giants in exchange for a conditional 2019 draft selection. October 30: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was traded to the Houston Texans in exchange for the Texans' 2019 fourth-round selection; in addition, the teams will swap 2019 seventh-round selections. Thomas ranks third in franchise history in receptions (behind Shannon Sharpe and Rod Smith), second in receiving yards, touchdowns and single-season receptions (all behind Rod Smith), tied with Anthony Miller for the most touchdowns in a single season, and holds the franchise records for 100-yard receiving games and receiving yardage for both a single-game and a single-season.
Draft
Despite early reports that the Broncos would draft a quarterback, plus the draft of several offensive players, the Broncos stayed with Case Keenum, Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly going into mini-camps. 2018 Denver Broncos Draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 5 Bradley Chubb LB NC State signed June 21 2 40 Courtland Sutton WR SMU signed May 10 3 71 Royce Freeman RB Oregon signed July 5 99 * Isaac Yiadom CB Boston College signed May 26 4 106 Josey Jewell LB Iowa signed May 10 113 DaeSean Hamilton WR Penn State signed May 10 5 156 Troy Fumagalli TE Wisconsin signed May 10, placed on injured reserve September 1 6 183 Sam Jones G Arizona State signed May 10 217 Keishawn Bierria LB Washington signed May 10 7 226 David Williams RB Arkansas signed May 10, waived September 1,assigned to the practice squad on September 3 * Compensatory selection
Draft trades