Depending on how the 2023 season goes, we could end up seeing some significant changes on the roster and organizationally in the next year. Even though we've seen some significant change in the last year in Denver, there could be even more on the horizon depending on how the 2023 season goes.
To me, there is a ton at stake in 2023, even if there is another brand-new coaching staff. The urgency of the Walmart ownership group is honestly a breath of fresh air, and you can tell that time is ticking for certain people and players.
The last thing we want to see is the Broncos once again sporting a losing record in 2023, but I guess it's possible. Let's look at three big changes we could see in the next year depending on how the coming season goes.
Denver Broncos: 3 big changes we can see in the next year
1. Russell Wilson is cut during 2024 offseason
Financially, the Denver Broncos would have to eat over $30 million in dead cap and would not save money on their cap number, but it would still be a financially possible move to make. If Wilson only shows marginal improvement in 2023 or is as bad as he was in 2022, why would Sean Payton want to continue?
He's got no connections with Wilson in Denver and surely would not want to have to deal with a washed-up quarterback. Payton is going to get the chance to pick his own potential franchise quarterback, and that could come as soon as 2024 if Russell Wilson is no longer effective.
It would be a short stay for Wilson, but would still be a major change.
Denver Broncos: 3 big changes we can see in the next year
2. George Paton gets the boot
If the 2023 season does go south, that would be 3/3 seasons for George Paton as GM of the Denver Broncos where he'd have a losing record. Again, like Wilson, Paton does not have many connections to Sean Payton, and with Payton having the last say with the roster, he might want to bring in someone he's worked with before in New Orleans.
This isn't to say that Paton is a bad GM; in fact, I think it's the complete opposite. He's appeared to have done very well in the draft and has been able to bring in quality free agents. He did miss a big head coaching hire and the Russell Wilson trade doesn't look good, but I think Paton is someone that could surely acquire a new GM job if he was fired by the Broncos.
After having John Elway as the GM for about a decade, going through Paton in just three years would be a shock. Paton has interviewed for a ton of openings over the years and ultimately decided to take the Broncos' job in 2021.
He is widely regarded around the NFL and seems to be very respected, so we're not talking about someone who doesn't know what he's doing, but Paton might be on the move in 2024 if the 202e season doesn't go well.
Denver Broncos: 3 big changes we can see in the next year
3. The Denver Broncos are seen as playoff contenders once again
When the Denver Broncos last made the playoffs, I was a senior in high school, and now I'm closer to 30 than 20. It's actually truly insane how bad the Broncos have been. One of the worst teams in football over the last five years, Denver really has nowhere to go but up.
And they happened to have made the best decision by any team of the 2023 offseason when they traded for Sean Payton, who comes to Denver with a Hall of Fame record as a head coach.
Well, let's look at something positive; what if Denver does hit the ground running in 2023 and finds themselves in the postseason? What if they're better than we think and quickly cement themselves as playoff contender once again?
It's possible, guys, no matter how bad the past years have been. In fact, prior seasons should have no bearing on the present. The 2017-2022 seasons are totally irrelevant to what is going on in 2023.
The Broncos being looked at as playoff contenders once again would be marvelous.