The Denver Broncos are looking to turn around their offensive output from a lackluster 2022, and any hope of that begins and ends in the offensive backfield. Between the production of Russell Wilson, the health of Javonte Williams, the production of Samaje Perine, and avoiding a sophomore slump with Greg Dulcich, the group of players highlighted in this article will be vital to the Broncos' success not only in 2023 but beyond.
In a possible scenario where some of these players do not perform, the Broncos could be sending some of them packing before too long. Here is a projection on which quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends will still be on the Broncos when the team enters the 2025 season.
The Quarterbacks
There is no position on the Broncos with more intrigue heading into 2023 than the quarterback spot. Russell Wilson is entering one of the biggest "make or break" years in NFL history, and is potentially playing for his contract. Backup Jarrett Stidham is in his first year with the team and is one of the better backups in the league after putting up strong numbers to end the year with the Las Vegas Raiders.
However, if things go south for Wilson, the Broncos can move on from his contract without financially handicapping themselves after 2024. The team did not draft a quarterback in the 2023 draft, but did invite former Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci to camp as the team's fourth potential quarterback. At the moment, three quarterbacks are on the Broncos roster, including Jarrett Guarantano.
If Russ is unable to perform as he has before, the Broncos could consider drafting a quarterback or bringing in a bridge quarterback after 2023, living with Russ's contract for the 2024 season, and starting new in 2025 while saving roughly $5 million against the cap. Stidham is only signed through 2024, but could be an option to quarterback the Broncos into the future if the Russ experiment fails again in 2023.
Ultimately, there is almost no way to accurately predict what happens to the quarterback room in Denver. Wilson is signed through but could also be out of town after 2024. It is simply impossible to tell, so let's just take a guess:
Prediction: Russell Wilson is still a Bronco entering 2025 after two strong seasons, and Jarrett Stidham is still his backup. Finally, consistency in the Broncos' quarterback room.
Denver Broncos Running Backs
Just as uncertain as the quarterbacks, the Broncos have some major question marks in the running back group. Javonte Williams is coming off massive knee reconstruction, and if he can't be ready for the season, Samaje Perine is tasked with being a lead back for the first time in his career.
Perine has only run the ball over 100 times in a season once, his rookie season in Washington. If Williams is not healthy by week one, Perine could be in for a career-high workload. Granted, nothing is stopping the Broncos from adding one of the strong running backs still on the market, including the likes of Zeke Elliott, but as it currently stands, there figures to be a lot of pressure on Perine and another back currently on the roster, whether that be a Damarea Crockett or Tyler Badie.
If the Broncos do not add a back, one of the other backs on the roster would see a high level of work for the first time in their professional career. However, as the Broncos have shown before, there is always value to be found around the NFL when it comes to running backs. The UDFA running back is a gift that keeps on giving. But at this moment, Perine is slated for a career-high workload, Williams' knee is still a question, and the Broncos could look to find running back stability elsewhere. None of this bodes well for the backs currently employed in Denver.
Prediction: Javonte Williams will not be in Denver entering the 2025 season, and neither will Samaje Perine.
The Tight Ends
One of the few positions on the Broncos' offensive front that seems to have some long-term stability would be the tight end group. The Broncos are heading into 2023 with a solid group, including Greg Dulcich, Albert Okwuegbunam, Adam Trautman, and blocking specialist Chris Manhertz.
Dulcich appeared to emerge as TE1 for the Broncos over the 10 games he played for the Broncos, while Albert O got more run after the initial staff under Nate Hackett was dismissed. Trautman reconnects with former coach Sean Payton, and Manhertz figures to be an important piece to the blocking game, especially after how poor the Broncos were in protecting the backfield last season. Each of the four tight ends the Broncos have on contracts figures to be an important piece for the team.
However, not all of these guys are going to last in Denver. Albert O has had his share of issues in the Mile High City, including drops, injuries, and just overall production. He figured to be the heir to Noah Fant's spot once Fant was moved in the Wilson trade, but he was quickly displaced by Dulcich and is now entering the final year of his deal. Trautman and Manhertz, while good depth pieces, do not figure to be part of the Broncos' long-term plans, at least not as far out as the 2025 season. All three of the mentioned tight ends could play important rotational roles in 2023, but it would be an incredible upset if any, let alone all three, last in Denver beyond 2023.