3 Denver Broncos on the hot seat for the 2023 season

Even in a period of transition, the Denver Broncos still have a few key people in the organization who are entering a very crucial year.

Usually when a team brings in a new coaching staff, the following season is one of transition and perhaps the expectations are not high. I think the Broncos are in a much different situation than a typical team who hired a new staff.

The roster itself is easily one of the 10-12 best in the NFL. However, their disastrous 2022 was one of the absolute worst seasons in team history and it's clear that the Broncos were woefully unprepared week to week.

I do think that the 2023 season is a crucial one to get the team back in the right direction, and I do think the expectations can and should be a playoff appearance. The 2024 season is likely one where the team will perhaps begin to make a harder push to win a Super Bowl.

The 2023 season will be, in a way, an evaluation year for 2024, as certain players, coaches, and perhaps front office folks will be pleading their case to remain with the team for the future.

Denver Broncos on the hot seat in 2023
1. George Paton, General Manager

Sean Payton has been very complimentary of George Paton thus far, but with a Hall of Fame coach in place and the ownership group set, I think George Paton could find himself out of a job after the 2023 season if the Broncos do not show progress.

His free agency hauls have been suspect in both of his seasons, but his drafting does appear to be sound. Paton is likely safe, but what will we all be saying at the end of the season if Russell Wilson doesn't show much improvement, Randy Gregory continues to battle injuries, and his 2022 draft class doesn't appear to be developing?

I do think Sean Payton would prefer to work with one of his former front office mates from New Orleans at some point, and if the Broncos' 2023 season does not go to plan, I think Payton has some leverage there.