It's approaching mid-December and the Denver Broncos are playing meaningful football. That's great, but the team definitely has some burning questions to answer this coming offseason. When Sean Payton took this job, he surely had a better start in mind than the team going 1-5. At that point, I think he was ready to blow the thing up and build towards 2024 and beyond.
The Broncos have completely flipped their record, going 5-1 over their last six games and do have some winnable games left on their schedule. It's not outrageous to think that this team could make the playoffs. Anyway, even if the Denver Broncos won the stinkin' Super Bowl this year, this team still has some questions that they are going to have to answer in 2024.
Question 1 to answer: What does the WR room look like in 2024?
The room has again been a bit up and down this year. Courtland Sutton is having a career year, having caught 50 passes for 637 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. Sutton probably passes the 10 TD mark and is on pace for 903 receiving yards. Rookie WR Marvin Mims Jr is an electric player that needs to get the ball more.
Jerry Jeudy seems like an afterthought at this point, and besides that, there's a ton of uncertainty with guys like Tim Patrick, Brandon Johnson, Jalen Virgil, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, and perhaps others. I don't even think it's a guarantee that Sutton returns to the team in 2024. Anyway, Sean Payton will have to re-work this unit in the coming offseason with a combination of some current players, a free agent or two, and a 2024 NFL Draft pick.
Question 2: How much different will the defensive front look in 2024?
Mike Purcell and Jonathan Harris are slated to be free agents along the DL this year, and beyond that, I think this unit lacks some juice. I also think the EDGE rushers are good at best and nothing more. My point here is how much different will this unit look in 2024? The pass rush is definitely inconsistent at times, and that unit doesn't really have that guy in it.
The Denver Broncos need to try to find their own version of Maxx Crosby, Danielle Hunter, TJ Watt, Myles Garrett, etc. I know that's easier said than done, but the team doesn't have that type of shutdown player. Along the defensive interior, I think a boost is needed, too. Zach Allen and DJ Jones are fine, but I think some juice along the IDL is a necessity, too.
The defense has played extremely well lately and is the primary reason for the team's resurgence, but the Broncos need to find some reinforcements along this unit. My personal choice is to throw a bag at Danielle Hunter, bring back Mike Purcell once again and look to the 2024 NFL Draft to further bolster the unit. In the NFL, losing the trenches is a death sentence. The Broncos OL looks to be in decent shape, but I think the defensive line could use some help.
Question 3: What in the heck happens with the QB position?
People wanted the Broncos to move on from Russell Wilson after the 2022 season and made some pretty wild arguments for it. And in 2023, it's clear that Wilson is back to playing somewhat like his old self, but I don't think we'll ever see that "Seattle Russ" again. Wilson threw three interceptions against the Houston Texans.
Week 13 certainly wasn't his best game, but people seem to be overreacting to this one performance. This was Wilson's second bad game of the season and has still been an efficient passer this year. Those who aggressively criticized the QB after the game seem to forget how good he was during the team's five-game win streak.
He's got 21 touchdown passes against seven interceptions this year. The Broncos' offense ranks 15th in the NFL. Wilson and the offense have been fine this year. However, many argue that he's not playing up to the massive contract he signed last year. There's also the argument that Sean Payton might not want to work with Russell Wilson much longer.
There have been rumors and reports all year that the Denver Broncos are leaving the possibility open that Wilson may not be on the team next year. It'd be a tough financial blow to absorb, but still possible. However, even if Russell Wilson is on the team in 2024, you'd have to think that Payton addresses the position in the draft, right?
I could see several different scenarios play out:
-Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham return in the QB room and all stays the same
-Russell Wilson returns, but a mid-round rookie QB is brought in to hopefully develop under Payton
-Russell Wilson gets cut and Payton signs a one-year bridge QB (Baker Mayfield) and pairs him with a first-round QB
-Russell Wilson gets cut, team goes all-in on first round QB and starts him Week 1 in 2024
Here you have two scenarios where he gets cut and two where he comes back. I'd bet on that second scenario being the most likely unless something major changes. Anyway, I think the QB position is one that is up in the air for 2024.