Broncos can get a significant upgrade in the pass rush with one move
The Denver Broncos could get a significant boost in the pass rush department if they would make just one move to sign recently released Whitney Mercilus.
The Denver Broncos have had plenty of injuries in the 2021 season and certainly some significantly impactful ones. One very notable injury in the 2021 season so far was an ankle issue for outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, who has missed most of the first six weeks of the season and will remain out for a few more weeks as he rehabs from a procedure to deal with a bone spur.
Without Chubb, the Broncos have had to make do with 2019 and 2020 spot starter Malik Reed, who does a fine job as a fill-in. Still, something is obviously missing when a star player like Chubb is not on the field, especially when we’re talking about being in tandem with Von Miller.
Also without Chubb, the rotation takes a hit. The depth is not as strong, and the Broncos have had some additional injuries since Chubb has gone down. Notably, rookie Andre Mintze recently went on IR and will be there for a minimum of three weeks.
Broncos can get a significant upgrade in the pass rush with one move
There is a chance the Broncos could get a significant boost in the pass rush department, and they have reason to do so. The team has not been getting home consistently enough off the edge and reinforcements may be necessary if the Broncos believe in themselves as a possible playoff team.
Despite the way many of the fans talk about the team, that remains a possibility, in case you didn’t know.
General manager George Paton has decisions to make. It seems like he prefers to go for more unheralded players, though we’ve seen him change course there in recent weeks with moves like the Avery Williamson addition and even more recently, John Brown.
The Houston Texans just released veteran pass rusher Whitney Mercilus, a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He told the media after his release that he is looking to play for a contender. The question is, does he want an easy road to contention or does he want to fight for it?
The likely answer to that is that he wants to go and play for a team that is a legitimate contender right now, and it’s tough to say the Broncos are in that category.
However, Mercilus certainly has no shortage of ties in Denver at the moment.
Denver Broncos coaches Bill Kollar (defensive line), Reggie Herring (linebackers), and John Pagano (outside linebackers) have all worked in Houston with Mercilus.
The problem is, the Kansas City Chiefs are also on the hunt for help on the defensive side of the ball.
The Broncos would have to do some significant recruiting in addition to winning on Thursday night if they want a chance at landing a player like Mercilus, who could be a big help in the rotation over the course of the season.
As of right now, it seems unlikely something like this will happen, but George Paton should absolutely try.