Denver Broncos: 5 major changes that need to happen after Steelers loss

Denver Broncos: 5 major changes that need to be made after Steelers loss

4. Move on from OC Pat Shurmur, promote WR coach Zach Azzanni

Here is the really big one.

The Denver Broncos may need to consider making a bold move to let Pat Shurmur go and promote Zach Azzanni.

Unfortunately, it’s become painfully clear that the Broncos’ offensive ineptitude is more than just a “player” thing and is very much a coaching, schematic, and player development thing.

Drew Lock’s development was not Pat Shurmur’s only responsibility, but he and Lock obviously failed collectively in that regard.

The offense has not been able to establish itself on the ground despite having multiple huge investments at the running back position.

Shurmur’s play-calling has been predictable at times, to put it kindly, and he’s had some of his worst play calls on third downs, where the Denver Broncos are obviously one of the absolute worst teams in the NFL right now.

There are plenty of reasons for Vic Fangio to move on from Pat Shurmur. The question is — will he have the stones to do it? He did it after just one season with Rich Scangarello. The key is, you’ve got to have an actual plan if you move on.

I think Fangio has it in Zach Azzanni. Although the Broncos’ wide receivers coach has been primarily in that role as an NFL coach, he’s also been a passing game coordinator, back when he was with the Tennessee Volunteers program.

Based on the fact that the Broncos may have let one get away with former OLBs coach Brandon Staley, now doing a tremendous job with the Chargers, they should preemptively make sure one of their best developers of talent — Azzanni — doesn’t get away by giving him an in-season promotion as a way of seeing what they’ve got.