The Denver Broncos are sporting a solid 3-2 record following five games to kickoff the 2026 season. With as tough as the team's schedule has been, I guess there is no reason to complain about the 3-2 start.
Denver is actually now 3-2 for the third year in a row and are just not a team that races right out of the gate. Here in 2026, some of the major issues have been along the offensive line and the overall offensive operation, especially with establishing the run.
And while you might not think quarterback Bo Nix has played well, the offensive line has taken a major step back this year. Not only can this team not open running lanes, but Nix is being pressure far too often and quickly. To fix this issue Denver should consider some personnel changes along this unit.
Denver Broncos need to consider making some personnel changes along the offensive line
We'll start off with the obvious; Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz are both top-3 at their respective positions and were first-team All-Pros last year. They are among the very best at what they do and are again having strong seasons.
Both of their presences along the offensive line are much-needed, and if the team eventually figures things out along the OL, Bolles and Meinerz will be leading the charge.
The two main issues, though, seem to be with left guard Ben Powers and center Luke Wattenberg. Powers took a pay cut this offseason following a 2025 campaign where he suffered two notable injuries, and Wattenberg has never really been a spectacular player to begin with.
But, this year, more than in previous seasons, we're seeing Powers getting beat in pass protection rather rountinely, and I am not sure he nor Wattenberg have done anything of note in run blocking. The Broncos offensive line might be a bit overrated as a whole, and with the team likely not even considering making any sort of switch at right tackle, there could be reason to give some thought to a personnel shift at left guard and center, the two worst positions on the offensive line this year.
If PFF grades are your thing, Powers comes in with a 51.2 overall grade, which ranks 59th among 74 guards. He's abysmal in pass protecting, grading out with a 33.3. His run blocking is a 55.5. While PFF could be questionable to some, those grades do seem to line up with what we've seen.
Alex Palczewski and Alex Forsyth should both get a chance here in the starting lineup. Palczewski started 10 games last year for the injured Powers, playing in 100 percent of the snaps from Weeks 7-14, and to be honest, I am not sure a drop-off in play ever occured. He also had to fill in for McGlinchey at right tackle back in 2024 and filled in admirably.
Forsyth is a more interesting case, as he's long been thought of as a better run blocker than Wattenberg. He's started six games in his career, starting four in 2024 and two in 2025. In those four games in 2024, the Broncos had the following rushing yard totals:
Week 6: 110
Week 7: 225
Week 8: 102
Week 9: 122
In Weeks 17 and 18 of 2025, Forsyth got the start. In those two games, the Broncos finished with the following rushing yard totals:
Week 17: 128
Week 18: 116
The Broncos ran for a total of 803 yards, which comes out to 133.8 yard per game. The numbers definitely make you believe the team does legitimately have more success on the ground with Forsyth, and that it's not a silly coincidence.
Yes, I understand that Wattenberg is playing under a pretty hefty contract, but the Sean Payton-era Broncos have not hesitated to bench underperforming players on big contracts before (ahem, Russell Wilson).
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Currently, the Broncos are trotting out the same exact offensive line each week, and the returns on the ground just aren't there. It's time for a personnel change.
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