The 2020 season was the Denver Broncos' 51st in the National Football League, their 61st overall and their second under head coach Vic Fangio. It also marked the team's 20th season playing their home games in their current venue, Empower Field at Mile High, as well as the 10th and final season with John Elway serving as the general manager.
The Broncos failed to improve on their 7–9 record from 2019, while decimated by numerous injuries and struggling with poor offensive performances, ranking in the bottom quarter in several statistical categories. The Broncos suffered their fourth consecutive losing season—the team's second-longest streak behind 1963–1972, and missed the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season—tied with 2006–2010 for the second-longest streak in franchise history, behind 1960–1976. In addition, it was the Broncos' second season of 11 or more losses in four seasons, after only having two such seasons from 1990 to 2016. For the first time since 2010, the Broncos were unable to win two consecutive games in consecutive weeks without a bye.
Coaching changes
January 10: Outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley departed to become the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. January 12: Offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello was fired after only one season, following a 2019 season in which the Broncos ranked in the bottom five in several offensive categories, including scoring offense and total yardage. Two days later (January 14), Scangarello was replaced by Pat Shurmur, who served as the New York Giants' head coach during the previous two seasons. Shurmur will become the Broncos' fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons. January 15: Quarterbacks coach T. C. McCartney was fired after only one season. January 28: Mike Shula, who served as the Giants' offensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019 alongside Pat Shurmur, was named quarterbacks coach. February 6: John Pagano was named outside linebackers coach, replacing Brandon Staley. Pagano worked in the same position with the Houston Texans during the previous two seasons.
Roster changes
Future contracts
All players listed below were signed to reserve/future contracts on December 31, 2019, unless noted otherwise. The signings include all ten players who were on the practice squad of the final roster at the end of the 2019 season. Each player was officially added to the active roster on March 18—the first day of the 2020 league year.
Free agents
Unrestricted
Note: Unrestricted free agents who were originally Restricted Free Agents (RFA) had three accrued seasons whose contracts expired at the end of the previous season, and did not receive a qualifying offer before the start of the 2020 league year on March 18.
Restricted and exclusive-rights
Signings
Departures
Trades
March 18: Fullback Andy Janovich was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a seventh-round selection in the 2021 draft. September 2: Cornerback Isaac Yiadom was traded to the New York Giants in exchange for a seventh-round selection in the 2021 draft. September 4: Defensive end Christian Covington, signed by the Broncos in April, was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for linebacker Austin Calitro.
Draft
Draft trades
Undrafted free agents
All undrafted free agents were signed on April 26—one day after the 2020 NFL Draft concluded, unless noted otherwise.
Suspensions
On December 9, cornerback A. J. Bouye was suspended for six games—the last four games of 2020 and the first two games in 2021—for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Injuries
Practice squad elevations
Under new NFL rules for the 2020 season, teams are permitted to elevate up to two players from the practice squad to the active game day roster per week, with those designated players being allowed to return to the practice squad up to two times without being exposed to waivers. If a practice squad player is elevated to the game day roster for a third time, that player will be required to clear waivers before returning to the practice squad. Teams are also permitted to protect a maximum of four practice squad players to prevent opposing teams from signing those players to their active rosters.
Notes: Josh Watson was elevated as a COVID-19 replacement from Weeks 10–15, while Troy Fumagalli and Alijah Holder were identified as COVID-19 replacements from Weeks 12–14.
Staff
Final roster
Preseason
The Broncos' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.