Denver Broncos reunite with a player they traded in 2021
Well, it’s safe to say the Denver Broncos won the Trinity Benson trade, isn’t it? At the time of 2021 roster cuts, general manager George Paton executed a trade with the Detroit Lions sending Benson to Detroit in exchange for fifth- and seventh-round draft picks. Broncos Country was sad to see Benson go but for what the Lions were offering in their desperation for receiver help (at the time), that was an offer that was simply too good to refuse.
Fast forward a little over a year, and Benson is now back with the Denver Broncos after failing to make it with the Detroit Lions, whose wide receiver corps has been revamped and looks like one of the best in the NFL right now. The Broncos added Benson to the practice squad after promoting Kendall Hinton to the 53-man roster this week.
Trinity Benson reunites with Denver Broncos on the practice squad
The Broncos not only got to keep the draft picks in last year’s trade with the Detroit Lions, but things have worked out to have Benson back in the fold as some additional depth at the wide receiver position. That’s something the Broncos have also desperately needed, and perhaps Benson can find his way back into the fold sooner rather than later.
A vertical threat with tremendous speed, Benson was sort of doing all the things we had seen from Kendall Hinton as of the 2021 preseason — making plays when opportunities came his way, making a strong case for the final roster.
After the trade last year, Benson appeared in eight games for the Lions, catching 10 passes for 103 yards. Perhaps most beneficial for Benson right now is a reunion with Denver Broncos wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni. Azzanni has been key for the Broncos in finding and developing receivers in the last handful of years, and Benson was one of the best examples of his great work.
Reunited wth Azzanni, Benson is now back with a coach who knows his skill set well, and perhaps that will help him regain his confidence and get back into a position where he can help the team.
Where does the Broncos’ active roster currently stand in terms of the wide receiver position? Let’s take a look.
Denver Broncos WRs on current active roster
- Courtland Sutton
- Jerry Jeudy
- KJ Hamler
- Montrell Washington
- Kendall Hinton
- Tyrie Cleveland
- Jalen Virgil
Despite the fact that Tim Patrick is on IR, the Broncos now have seven receivers on the active roster, and Benson — on the practice squad — is the eighth available. It would be unexpected for him to contribute anytime soon as he now has to get acclimated to Nathaniel Hackett’s offense, but the Broncos brought Benson in and let go of players who had been with the team since training camp or near the beginning of the season when they released Darrius Shepherd and Vyncint Smith.
How soon can Benson make an impact in Denver? We honestly may not see it, but with his rapport with Azzanni and the team’s understanding of his skill set, perhaps we see him get a shot sooner rather than later.