The Denver Broncos have made the biggest move of this offseason thus far, trading for quarterback Russell Wilson.
The 2022 league year will open on Wednesday in which trades and free-agent signings can start to become official. The Denver Broncos expect to be an active team, not yet satisfied with only trading for Wilson.
Things have not been this exciting in Denver since the team signed Peyton Manning following the 2011 season. The Broncos made that move and then several other moves to build a Super Bowl contender.
The approach here will likely be the same. The Broncos will now look to surround Wilson with the kind of talent that can build a winner, something that is not going to be easy in a difficult AFC West division.
But the team could also look to surround Wilson with some familiar faces. The team did this in 2012 with Manning, bringing in the likes of Brandon Stokley and Jacob Tamme to give him some familiar players to throw the ball to.
The Broncos could be interested in doing the same, so here are some players they could add to the roster with ties to their new franchise quarterback.
Denver Broncos possible free agent: Germain Ifedi, Offensive Tackle
The Seahawks actually selected Germain Ifedi in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft and what was significant about that pick was it was the pick they received from Denver after the Broncos traded up to draft Paxton Lynch.
Lynch was obviously a massive bust and Ifedi didn’t play much better in Seattle. But he did make 60 starts for the team and he is familiar with Wilson and his style of play. He has played for the Chicago Bears the past two seasons, making 23 starts.
The Broncos do need help at the tackle spot and it remains to be seen if they will bring back last year’s starter at right tackle, Bobby Massie. Ifedi should not be seen as a long-term option and the odds of him being brought in at all are likely low, but he could provide veteran experience at the position and be a player able to make spot starts here and there for the team.