2018 Denver Broncos season
The 2018 season was the Denver Broncos' 49th season in the National Football League 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. and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders 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, Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers.
- 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, 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
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
Restricted and Exclusive-Rights
Signings
Departures
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, second in receiving yards, touchdowns and single-season receptions, 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
| 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 |
| 3 | 99 * | Isaac Yiadom | CB | Boston College | signed May 26 |
| 4 | 106 | Josey Jewell | LB | Iowa | signed May 10 |
| 4 | 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 |
| 6 | 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 |
Draft trades
| Trade partner | Broncos give | Broncos receive | Source |
| Arizona Cardinals | 2018 sixth-round selection | Offensive tackle Jared Veldheer | |
| Atlanta Falcons | Offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo | 2018 fifth-round selection | |
| Los Angeles Rams | Cornerback Aqib Talib | 2018 fifth-round selection | |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2018 fifth-round selection | Two 2018 sixth-round selections | |
| Minnesota Vikings | Quarterback Trevor Siemian 2018 seventh-round selection | 2019 fifth-round selection | |
| San Francisco 49ers | Running back Kapri Bibbs 2017 fifth-round selection | 2018 fourth-round selection | |
| Seattle Seahawks | 2018 fifth-round selection | 2018 fifth-round selection 2018 seventh-round selection | |
| Washington Redskins | 2018 fourth-round selection Two 2018 fifth-round selections | Safety Su'a Cravens 2018 fourth-round selection 2018 fifth-round selection |
Undrafted free agents
All undrafted free agents were signed after the 2018 NFL draft concluded on April 28, unless noted otherwise.| Player | Position | College | Notes |
| WR | Bryce Bobo | Colorado | signed August 3, waived September 1 |
| LB | Bo Bower | Iowa | signed June 15, waived August 26 |
| WR | Mark Chapman | Central Michigan | signed July 26 waived September 1 |
| WR | John Diarse | TCU | waived September 1 |
| G/C | Nico Falah | USC | signed October 22 |
| OT | Austin Fleer | Colorado Mesa | signed August 12 waived September 1 |
| LB | Jeff Holland | Auburn | waived September 1, assigned to the practice squad on September 3, promoted to the active roster on November 30 |
| LB | A. J. Johnson | Tennessee | suspended during his senior year in 2014 due to legal issues, signed August 13, made the Week 1 roster, waived November 30 |
| OT | Leon Johnson | Temple | waived August 12 |
| RB | Phillip Lindsay | Colorado | made the Week 1 roster |
| NT | Lowell Lotulelei | Ball State | waived May 14 |
| S | Trey Marshall | Florida State | waived September 1, assigned to the practice squad on September 3, promoted to the active roster on December 11 |
| DE | DeQuinton Osborne | Oklahoma State | signed August 15, waived September 1 |
| C | Austin Schlottmann | TCU | waived September 1, assigned to the practice squad on September 3 |
| DE | Antonio Simmons | Georgia Tech | signed June 15, waived September 1 |
| QB | Nick Stevens | Colorado State | signed May 17, waived June 14 |
| WR | Jimmy Williams | East Carolina | designated as Reserve/Did Not Report on July 25 |