The Denver Broncos could be planning on making a big acquisition at the running back position in the 2023 NFL offseason, but that doesn't mean bad news for Javonte Williams, necessarily. Broncos GM George Paton met with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and wound up giving perhaps the most positive update anyone could have expected regarding Williams, who suffered a bad knee injury this past season.
Broncos GM George Paton Tuesday on RB Javonte Williams' recovery: "I think he's on track (to be ready for regular season), I don't want to put a date on it, but he's out there jogging, he's working his butt off ... (but) we'll have another back or two if he's not ready.''
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) February 28, 2023
If Williams is jogging at this point, that's a great sign. If George Paton thinks he's "on track" to be ready for the regular season, then there's a chance Williams could be good to go in Week 1 of the season. That seemed like an overly optimistic hope just a few days ago, before Paton had said anything at all, but it seems like it might be within the realm of realism.
At any rate, rushing Williams back to action is not something this Denver Broncos team really needs to do. I'm not sure they need to go out and sign Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs, but they definitely need to bring in someone who is capable of carrying a pretty hefty load at the position.
There will be plenty of names available, too.
Paton mentioned during his press conference that this year's crop of running backs in both the NFL Draft and free agency are very deep. The Broncos have Chase Edmonds currently under contract as well as Tyler Badie, Damarea Crockett, and Tyreik McAllister. There's no guarantee any or all of those players will be on the roster in 2023, but it gives you an idea of where the Broncos are currently at.
It makes plenty of sense for Latavius Murray to return in 2023 given his connection to head coach Sean Payton, and Murray even helped recruit Payton to Denver.
The Broncos know they have a star on their hands in Javonte Williams, but you certainly can't rush the guy back from a major knee injury. They need to set themselves up as though Javonte won't play in 2023, not assuming he won't, but making sure they don't have any reason to rush him back. There's nothing wrong with a deep stable of backs. In fact, in an offseason like this where supply is way greater than demand, you have to almost welcome it.
At any rate, if Williams is making enough progress for George Paton to give an update like this, it's great news for everyone in Broncos Country.