The Denver Broncos are approaching an extremely important offseason in their team’s history. Let’s make some bold predictions for the coming months. Their head coaching search will continue next week as finalists get invited to the Broncos’ facilities for more interviews.
My personal guess is that by the end of next week, the next head coach of the Denver Broncos will be known or confirmed. My hope is that the team acquires Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints, as that is the best option for the team, but other solutions are possible.
After the coach is in place, the process will begin for the free agency and NFL Draft periods where teams begin to rework their rosters for the following season.
This is always a fun time of year for NFL fans and content creators. Let’s make some bold predictions for Denver’s 2023 offseason.
Three bold predictions for the Broncos 2023 offseason
Broncos hire Sean Payton, make him highest paid coach
Maybe this is not a bold prediction because of where the momentum seems to be heading, but pulling this off is certainly a bold move. Not only will Denver have to trade yet another first round pick, but they’ll also have to fork over a contract that is likely worth at least $20 million per year for Payton.
It’s an incredibly expensive commitment for a head coach, but given Payton’s career with the Saints, it’ll certainly be worth it. I think this would immediately thrust the Broncos into a playoff contender at least.
Broncos employ four new offensive line starters
The lone returning starter from the 2022 season would be Quinn Meinerz in this scenario. I can totally see a situation where players like Dalton Risner are not re-signed, Garett Bolles is traded or cut, and other starters like Lloyd Cushenberry, Graham Glasgow, are not re-signed, cut, or stuffed down the depth chart.
The line play in 2022 was ridiculously bad, and the team does not exactly have a ton of talent in the unit to begin with. The cap savings from a potential Garett Bolles cut/trade and Graham Glasgow cut are too hard to ignore. Both moves would save the team over $10 million in cap space.
Obviously, the next step in that process would be to find upgrades at the left tackle, left guard, center, and right tackle spots. Fortunately, there seems to be some decent talent in the free agent market if Denver wanted to go that route, much like the Cincinnati Bengals did last year.
Broncos make a major wide receiver move
What I mean by this is in all likelihood a massive trade. It’s no lie that Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick are all very talented, but we really have not seen the trio at their best, and injuries are the main reason for that.
It’s an unfortunate scenario, so I think part of the solution for this unit will be to bring someone else in, perhaps a true difference maker. I could very well see the team trade Courtland Sutton. I don’t think Jeudy is going anywhere at all, and Patrick won’t be moved as he is coming off a torn ACL.
The biggest issue with the WR room is the lack of consistent speed. KJ Hamler has been a dud for the team, so perhaps the Broncos could hire Sean Payton and acquire one of his former receivers in Brandin Cooks.