In 2022, the Denver Broncos season was premeditated with several red flags that most of us decided to ignore or were simply ignorant of. To avoid such a catastrophe in 2023, what must the Denver Broncos do or avoid?
First and foremost, the health of any starting quarterback in the NFL is important. How important it is just depends on the quality of the quarterback. Hoping Russell Wilson morphs back into the Wilson of old, the Denver Broncos’ fate for 2023 could very well fail if his health fails.
1. Investing in the offensive line is a must for the Denver Broncos
Regardless of what metric you see, read, or imagine, the Denver Broncos’ offensive line did not play well in 2022. How much of that falls on the failures of the now Miami Dolphins offensive line “coach,” Butch Barry, will come to fruition in the upcoming year.
Moving on from Butch Barry is already an improvement right out of the gate for the Broncos front. From hearing about Barry’s sticky note gate to his lack of detail, and outright lack of desire to invest in his group, the team might be in a better position with no coach whatsoever.
Saying that tongue in cheek, there was a reason the team applauded his dismissal when interim coach, Jerry Rosburg, relieved him of his duties.
Next, George Paton and Sean Payton must collab and fight some nasty for this group. Several pieces must go at the same time. Garrett Bolles should stick around, for at least one more year. Quinn Meinerz will be back as the team’s lone returning interior offensive line starter from 2022.
Cam Fleming would be a good depth piece at a nice value, but that is as far as he should go.
There should be three new starters along the offensive line for the Denver Broncos in 2023, playing in any other way I think would be asking for a repeat of 2022. Add at least two solid starters in free agency and spend some draft capital on the group.
It would not bother me one bit if the Denver Broncos drafted nothing but trench players and possibly a running back in this year’s draft class. If the Broncos want to protect Russell Wilson, adding some quality pieces in front of him would be a good start.