The Denver Broncos have heeded to organization malpractice, a reeling quarterback, and coaching turnover in the past two years. Here’s how they can fix their woes.
The Denver Broncos, once a dominant force in the NFL, now sit on the second-longest active playoff appearance drought in the league spanning eight years. After being triumphant in Super Bowl 50 their fall from grace can be attributed to the revolving door of head coaches and quarterbacks. This past season seemed to be the turning point, but after starting the season 1-5, even a midseason five-game win streak still left them on the outside looking in at the playoff picture.
As the Broncos fell out of playoff contention after a devastating loss to the Patriots in Week 16 the Broncos decided to bench quarterback Russell Wilson to avoid his “injury guarantee”. This request has not sat well with Wilson, as another move for the veteran quarterback could be quickly coming. With no signs of slowing down for the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty and a revitalization of the Los Angeles Chargers with new head coach Jim Harbaugh, if the Broncos want to compete in the AFC West a lot has to change and fast. Here are three potential moves the Broncos could make to finally get themselves back into playoff football.
New Sheriff in Town
Filling the shoes of Peyton Manning is no easy task by any means, but the Broncos are now sitting at eight years without playoff football. The draft has a surplus of NFL-ready quarterbacks and I believe if Michigan’s national champion quarterback J.J. McCarthy is still on the board it would be a no brainer to take him with the Broncos’ 12th pick. However, there is no need to reach for a quarterback in the draft if it is not the “guy” the Broncos want. A realistic move that may not be the main fix right away would be reuniting head coach Sean Payton with free-agent quarterback Jameis Winston.
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It’s been no secret that Payton is bringing in former coworkers from his tenure with the New Orleans Saints, such as former Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, as a senior offensive assistant. A grand total of 19 former coworkers of Payton’s have been brought into Denver which include 13 front office staff members and 6 players, so another former Saint is likely as the Broncos look toward a new face of their franchise.
Revival of the “No Fly Zone”
Denver, once known for the stifling “No Fly Zone” defensive secondary should now try and pair 2x NFLPA Players’ All-Pro team and the Demaryius Thomas Team MVP award winner for the Denver Broncos, cornerback Pat Surtain II, with another cornerback to lock down the front side of the ball. Someone the Broncos should target is Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn.
A trade for Horn would require the Broncos to part ways with Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy, however with Courtland Sutton being such a dominant threat in the passing game and the emergence of Marvin Mims as a viable slot option letting Jeudy go with only one year remaining on his contract is the least of the offensive worries. Ultimately, having Horn, Surtain II, a Pro-Bowl safety in Justin Simmons, and developing safeties in P.J. Locke and Caden Sterns would put them as one of the top secondaries in the league.
Looking Toward the Future
The Broncos have a cap space problem rooted in the contract disaster of Wilson, however, another development is the overpay of average offensive linemen. This move is not so much flashy but one that needs to happen to benefit the team. Center Lloyd Cushenberry has been a formidable 4-year starter in his tenure with the Broncos. He now hits free agency and should demand anywhere from $8 million – $11 million. If the Broncos were to resign the center it is doubtful the Broncos would be able to re-sign one of the league’s best offensive guards, Quinn Meinerz.
The better move would be to let Cushenberry walk and draft a center with one of their picks in this year’s draft to be in a position to resign Meinerz for multiple years. Needless to say, all of Denver’s salary cap problems stem from the ridiculous overpaying of quarterback Russell Wilson. As well as big contracts to others on their starting offensive line units such as Mike McGlinchey Garett Bolles, and Ben Powers who all underperformed this season for the amount they are getting paid.
