The fate of many Broncos could be decided in London

The Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars will meet in Week 8 in a battle of struggling teams with matching 2-5 records.

On paper, the game is not very interesting. Broncos fans are also going to have to get up a little earlier than usual for the overseas kickoff of 7:30 a.m. MT. But the game could have significant circumstances for several members of the Broncos depending on the result.

With the idea of a fire sale looming, the Broncos could become the center of attention ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline as several players appear to be on the block in the minds of many.

Should the Broncos lose to the Jaguars, which would mark their fifth straight defeat, we could see some massive changes made. Here are the team members that could be somewhere other than Denver with a loss on Sunday.

Bradley Chubb: This is the one name that seems to be available in a trade that Broncos fans would likely prefer to keep, but Bradley Chubb is also the guy that would bring the biggest return.

I suggested that the Broncos send Chubb to the Philadelphia Eagles but they opted to trade for Robert Quinn earlier this week. Kevin Patra of NFL.com brings up the Arizona Cardinals as a team to trade for Chubb.

There will be a lot of interest in the pass-rusher who already has 5.5 sacks this season and George Paton can expect a lot of calls even if the Broncos defeat Jacksonville.

Jerry Jeudy: The former first-round pick has just not been good for the Broncos. He shows flashes of what made him the 15th overall pick in the draft but there is just far too much inconsistency, regardless of what you want to blame that on.

The Green Bay Packers and New York Giants are two teams to watch as both could have a lot of interest in Jeudy.

K.J. Hamler: After taking Jeudy in the first round in 2020, the Broncos doubled down and used their second-round choice on K.J. Hamler, who has been even more inconsistent than Jeudy, though injuries have had a lot to do with that.

Teams needing a speedy deep threat willing to take a chance on Hamler’s injury history will be looking at making a deal, depending on Denver’s asking price. The Broncos would likely have to accept a day-three pick as teams are not going to give up much for such an unproven commodity.

Albert Okwuegbunam: Even though the return would be next to nothing, it’s time for the Broncos could cut ties with Albert Okwuegbunam. He has been a healthy scratch in each of the last two weeks and has dropped down the depth chart behind guys who are mainly blocking tight ends.

This is a player the Broncos should trade ahead of the deadline, win or lose on Sunday.

Nathaniel Hackett: The biggest name to watch after this game’s result, especially if it is a loss, is that of head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Would the Broncos really fire him after just eight games?

Though Paton has recently shown support for the coach he hired, his seat is flaming hot in the minds of others. Something has to change in a hurry, even if Paton is preaching patience.

Regardless of how much he believes in the man he hired, if the ownership group, which was not in place when that hire was made wants a change, Paton will have no choice.

Broncos vs Jaguars result could have major implications

For these reasons, this has to be one of the more enticing games between two really bad teams in recent memory.

The Broncos have looked awful this season, especially when you consider the preseason hype surrounding the team. If Hackett goes out and calls the kind of game that he has been and the offense can’t move the ball and score points against a poor Jags team, then it’s hard to see a change not being made.

This season is all but gone with a loss if it’s not already, and Broncos fans will grow incredibly impatient sitting through the rest of it while going into another uncertain offseason.