If anything, this contract year could have Mims cashing in elsewhere in 2027, which wouldn’t be the worst outcome for a secondary option on a contending team.
“I think it can open up a lot of things,” Mims said of Waddle’s addition. “With RJ (Harvey), JK (Dobbins), Jonah (Coleman) in the backroom, Jaleel (McLaughlin), TB (Tyler Badie). You know, we’ve got a great tight end coming back that did a really good job for us last year. We’ve got a lot of receivers coming back that did some good things to add to the guys. really enjoy picking your poison.
“Teams are going to have to plan us differently. We’ll see what they do. But having Courtland and Jaylen out there, whoever else is going to be out there matching them, whatever they’re running, I mean it’s going to be hard to see who you want to take away. You really have two proven vets out there.”
Mims and the rest of the Broncos understand how close they were to landing football’s best in 2025, and with Denver preparing to welcome quarterback Bo Nix back to the fold after a season-ending ankle injury suffered in their Division II victory over Buffalo, optimism is running high in the Mile High City.
That’s another part of why Mims isn’t worried about the future right now. He knows more opportunities await him and his teammates, starting with Nix.
“Bo is coming back strong,” Mims said. “He’s going to have a great season like he always does. An incredible leader, so I’m excited.”
Denver has set an incredibly high mark with a quick turnaround and a brush with a Super Bowl bid. It will be up to each member of the team — including Mims, perhaps for the last time — to live up to those expectations in 2026.