There are a few candidates in the Denver Broncos' organization who could be in line to compete for major awards in the 2023 season. It would be so great to not only witness the Denver Broncos turn into a legitimate team again, but to also see some players and maybe even some coaches compete for some of the league's major awards.
The 2023 season is going to be one of the most important ones in team history. It's clear that the team is set to try to contend in the coming season, even though they are entering their third head coach in three seasons.
Just because another new staff is in town, doesn't mean the Broncos can't win a ton of games. If they do win some games, expect a couple of players and potentially a coach to be competing to win a major award in 2023.
Denver Broncos who can win major awards in 2023
Coach of the Year: Sean Payton
Sean Payton can win the Coach of the Year award in 2023, right? I don't think it's likely to bet on the team to finish with the most wins in the NFL by any stretch, but what if the Broncos win 10 games and make the playoffs as Wild Card?
Surely that could be enough for the voters to give Payton the CotY award. Payton has been a part of a plethora of double-digit winning teams, has a winning record in the NFL playoffs, and has won a Super Bowl. It's not out of the realm of possibility that Denver can win double-digit games.
Their moves in free agency indicate that the team is set to hit the ground running.
Denver Broncos who can win major awards in 2023
Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Surtain II
I do think there was a valid argument for Patrick Surtain II to win the DPoY award in the 2022 season. He was constantly shadowing the opposition's top wide receivers and rarely got beat. It's clear that after his first two seasons in the NFL, Patrick Surtain II is the best cornerback in football.
Some teams just simply didn't throw his way. He was a 17-game starter for the Broncos and notched two interceptions, 10 passes defended, 60 total tackles, and two tackles for loss. He's a big, physical cornerback and completely takes away one-half of the playing field for the opposing offense.
He's only set to enter his age-23 season in the NFL and I'm sure hasn't even hit his peak yet. We may see an even better version of Surtain in 2023, and that could lead to a DPoY award. Stephon Gilmore won the DPoY award in 2019, so there's been recent success for cornerbacks winning the award.
Denver Broncos who can win major awards in 2023
Comeback Player of the Year: Russell Wilson OR Javonte Williams
I think there are massive arguments for both Russell Wilson and Javonte Williams to win the Comeback Player of the Year award. Geno Smith won the award in 2022, but I'm not sure what he came back from, as he was a career backup.
Anyway, Wilson might be one of the betting favorites to win the award. This was the first season of his career where he played at a lesser tick than above average. He was excellent during the first 10 years of his career in Seattle, and if he can replicate one of those years in 2023 with Sean Payton, he'll run away with the award.
I truly believe Wilson has a few years left and absolutely hate it when I hear and read "Oh the Broncos lost that trade." How do we know for sure? The Broncos didn't make the trade just for one season. What will the narrative be when Wilson bounces back in 2023?
Javonte Williams was going to be the workhorse running back for the Broncos but blew out his knee early in the 2022 season. We'll see if he's able to return to the lineup for week one. It also may take him a ton of time to get back to his old self, so I'm less likely to bet on Williams to win, but there is a path for him to do so.
The Broncos expect to be a run-first team, and if Williams can be back into the lineup quickly, he could benefit from that.