With the Denver Broncos’ 2022 offseason now underway, they have all the resources they need to get back into contention, but the team must do these three things.
If you ask Broncos fans who they think the team should hire, who the team should sign, draft, and retain, you would get different answers from each person. The Denver Broncos are set to have an extremely active 2022 NFL offseason.
While there are many routes for the team to take, there are three things that the team must do to ensure maximum success for 2022 and beyond.
If the team fails to do these three things, they risk setting themselves back even further than they have been since winning Super Bowl 50 in 2015.
There seems to be obvious consensus around Broncos Country that the team needs to acquire or draft a quarterback, but I do not think the fans can fully agree on much else,.
Here are the three things that the Denver Broncos must do during the 2022 offseason.
Three Things the Denver Broncos Must Do in 2022
1. Hire an Offensive Head Coach
This might sound shortsighted, but I don’t think the Denver Broncos should be hiring a defensive-minded coach during this cycle. Clearly, the last two head coaches didn’t work, and part of me wonders if some of the players have bad taste in their mouth with the defensive coaches.
I think the team needs a breath of fresh air. The only holdover from the Super Bowl 50 team is Brandon McManus, and most of the other players have never experienced an offensive head coach during their time in the NFL.
Maybe offensive coaches approach the game differently, maybe they go about their business differently? I think back to the saying of “overstaying your welcome” with this first point.
I think it’s simply time to get a different type of voice in the locker room, plus, there’s plenty of proof that hiring an offensive coach will work out, just look at the teams currently in the NFL playoffs.
Nathaniel Hackett and Kellen Moore would be great hires for this Broncos team if they want to go the offensive route, which I think is a must for 2022 and beyond.
Three Things Denver Broncos Must Do in 2022
2. Find an answer at quarterback, veteran, or rookie
This one should go without saying, however, there are a multitude of opinions across Broncos’ fans, analysts, writers, etc.
We’re ultimately not sure if George Paton thinks he can acquire a veteran like Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers.
We’re not sure if he likes Kirk Cousins or Matt Ryan, and we’re not sure if George Paton likes a certain quarterback prospect.
Whatever the path is, the Denver Broncos need to, in some capacity, acquire who they believe to be the answer at quarterback. Obviously, this draft class is being viewed as a weaker class than usual for quarterbacks.
In my opinion, it should not matter who the player is, if a team likes them, then do what it takes to draft them.
If George Paton really likes Malik Willis, for example, he should do what it takes to acquire his services.
I am personally hoping for Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers, but I understand if neither player ends up on the team.
Three Things Denver Broncos Must Do in 2022
3. Upgrade the trenches
The Denver Broncos were not good against the run this season, and their offensive line is painfully average.
We were just informed that the Broncos reworked Graham Glasgow’s salary for 2022, so he figures to be back in the mix.
There are only two positions along the offensive line that should be penned in for 2022; Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz.
The other three positions, in my opinion, should be upgraded, whether that’s from the draft or in free agency. In fact, George Paton recently made a similar comment, so the team figures to upgrade along both lines.
As many of you know, I am very low on Dalton Risner and Lloyd Cushenberry, so I think both of their positions should be upgraded. I also would not mind if the team looks to acquire a higher-end right tackle, but Bobby Massie held his own.
As for the defensive line, it’s a solid unit, but Mike Purcell was not nearly as good this year and is getting up there in age, along with Shelby Harris, but Harris enjoyed another solid season.
Dre’Mont Jones is a cornerstone along the line, but the team needs more youth and athleticism in that unit.
Broncos free agents who should stay or go no matter who is head coach
The Denver Broncos are set to have a good amount of free agents, but will the new head coach factor into which free agents return?
The Broncos cannot afford to be poor against the run in 2022. Games in the NFL are won and lost in the trenches, so the Broncos need to do whatever it takes to upgrade both units, or they risk another lost season.