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Denver Broncos: 5 moves the Broncos must make to dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs

By Chandler Hyler

ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 06: New Denver Broncos Coach Sean Payton addresses the media during a press conference at UCHealth Training Center on February 06, 2023 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 06: New Denver Broncos Coach Sean Payton addresses the media during a press conference at UCHealth Training Center on February 06, 2023 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Jan 21, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs the ball past Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arden Key (49) during the second half of an AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs the ball past Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arden Key (49) during the second half of an AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Sign Arden Key

During the 2022 NFL offseason, the Denver Broncos attempted to bring in their premiere pass rusher in Randy Gregory. So far, that signing, much like Gregory’s career, has been underwhelming.

Is Randy Gregory an incredible talent with a towering ceiling? Yes. His ceiling is as long as his wingspan is wide. Gregory has just not been able to reach that ceiling due to his inability to stay on the field.

Some his fault, some inactivity due to his injuries, which no one should fault him for that. Injuries happen, and let’s face it, some players are in-fact, injury prone. No matter how much they stretch, no amount of stretching is good enough, certain players just can’t avoid the injury bug.

Hoping Randy Gregory’s career as a Denver Broncos and in general finds its way back on track, he is an easy guy to root for. It is also in the best interest of the Denver Broncos if Gregory is available. His presence is felt on the field and missed when it isn’t.

However, every Batman needs a Robin.

Von Miller had DeMarcus Ware.

Dwight Freeney had Robert Mathis.

Michael Strahan had Justin Tuck or Osi Umenyiora

Randy Gregory could use Arden Key on the opposite side to complete a strong and freakishly athletic front for the Denver Broncos. Beating Patrick Mahomes is done up front. Mahomes can beat a great secondary, Denver has had a solid if not above average one for years.

It just hasn’t been good enough. Mahomes struggles the most when facing nasty fronts. Look how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers forced Mahomes into the toughest game of his career. That was done up front.

There are quarterbacks in the NFL that you can beat with a stronger secondary, the less athletically-gifted ones, the pocket quarterbacks who aren’t magicians. Great coverage can force those type of quarterbacks to sit tight and hold hoping something opens up, they typically just have one play in them.

Patrick Mahomes has three plays in his, sometimes four all in one play if you do not get to him. That is why a strong front is necessary to beat the Kansas City Chiefs. This is part of the reason I think the Denver Broncos have failed to defeat Mahomes.

Would the 2015 Denver Broncos beat Mahomes? Even with this type of offensive production or lack thereof? I think so. Because their front would make plays and let Mahomes know they were there, much like they did to Cam Newton.

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