In the spring of 2022, the catch phrase “Broncos country, let’s ride” echoed during a very eventful afternoon. Denver had traded for Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade. As we heard every sports media outlet say: “Denver is a legit contender with Russell. He finally has playmakers and a top ten defense. This was all good on paper, like every team in the league who’s trying to retool and move the needle. Little did Denver know, “Broncos country, let’s ride” would slowly be pushed off the Rocky Mountains.
What’s transpired since then has the fans wondering how it got this bad and we’re six weeks into the 2023 NFL season. Hiring Sean Payton was supposed to fix Russ’ confidence and regain his all-pro play from Seattle. From the moment Sean Payton walked into the organization, it was a power struggle. Calling out Russ’ Hollywood lifestyle and having his own “coaches.” To make matters worse, neither Russ nor Payton have seen eye to eye. Talk about a locker room full of tension which will boil over faster than an avalanche rushing down a slope.
Denver’s start to 2023 has been filled with more questions than answers. What was their bread and butter in 2022 has become bottom of the league. The Broncos defense has regressed and it’s showing each week. It doesn’t help when you see guys playing hard; but give up rather easily the next play. Russ’ play doesn’t give the team any glimmer of hope due to the disconnect with teammates. He’s shown flashes of the old Russ, but there’s some underlying issues between the franchise QB and head coach.
It's sad to say Denver gave Russ the richest contract in NFL history with rewarding him 5 years/$245 million dollars with $165 million guaranteed, which is on Denver’s books for the 2024 NFL season. This current deal is his old Seattle contract upon being acquired. There’s no remote way to trade Russell Wilson’s contract; not even the smartest salary cap gurus couldn’t restructure this astronomical deal. You can move on from head coaches faster than a $245 million dollar contract.
The dead money over that time… Denver’s salary cap would be in more purgatory than the number of QBs they’ve had since Peyton Manning retired upon winning Super Bowl 50. A six year drought of not having the most important position on your team in a franchise QB. Denver gave up their future to acquire Russell Wilson and they’ve yet to see positive revenue in their return. In a division where you play Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Jimmy Garoppolo, trading for Russell was supposed to make Denver relevant again. At least a playoff team with Sean Payton as head coach and a recharged Russell.
On the outside looking in, the only hope Denver has is to trade away players under team friendly deals or rookie contracts for draft equity to get the horses back into the pastures. Rather it’s 2nd, 5th 7th round picks, Denver will gladly accept any offers for their guys at this point. We’ve heard offensive lineman Garett Bolles publicly say: “Tired of losing man, I’ve been here seven years and all I’ve done is lost.” Players grow tired of losing year in and out; but in this instance it was supposed to be a new day in Denver. The vibes of 2022 have carried over into 2023.
A far worse team than 2022 and it doesn’t appear to the lead horse can keep the buggy attached. Where Denver goes from here starts with Russell Wilson; followed by Sean Payton. It’s still enough time to fix and correct what’s left in the season. Week by week, tensions will cause the thin air to feel thick. A snowstorm may arrive in Denver before any big changes take place. Whatever happens, “Broncos country, let’s cry.” Stai tuned.
