Denver Post Broncos writer Ryan O’Halloran posts his Broncos Mailbag weekly during the season. Submit questions to Ryan here.
Ryan, do you expect either Brett Rypien or Josh Johnson to be the backup quarterback, or do you see George Paton ultimately bringing in someone from outside?
— Bill, Parker
Bill, you must have been eavesdropping on a conversation I was having with a colleague during Monday morning’s practice. The question we tossed around: Is the Week 1 backup quarterback on the roster?
The 36-year-old Johnson has been underwhelming through five practices and Rypien’s snaps in 11-on-11 work are so limited, it is impossible to make a judgment on his play.
Remember 2019. After training camp, the Broncos put Drew Lock on injured reserve and released Kevin Hogan and Rypien, the latter of whom was signed onto the practice squad. Brandon Allen was acquired via waivers from the Los Angeles Rams and immediately became the No. 2 quarterback behind Joe Flacco.
Johnson in particular will get plenty of playing time in the preseason to try and keep his spot, if it’s even an issue inside the Broncos’ facility.
It feels like there’s a lot of hype coming into the season, especially with the addition of Russell Wilson. Do you think we actually have enough talent to be in Super Bowl contention? I’m a little concerned about the defense. The line needs some work and I’m unsure about our pass rush. Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory could be great together, but their injury history has me worried.
— Mike, Denver
Two things can be true at the same time: The Broncos are the subject of a lot of hype and they aren’t a Super Bowl contender.
Wilson will move the needle offensively; if he doesn’t, then the Broncos are in deep trouble.
To address your concerns on defense: The line is top-heavy; if Dre’Mont Jones or D.J. Jones gets banged up, uh-oh. The injury histories of Chubb and Gregory should concern you, especially because Gregory remains on the shelf following offseason shoulder surgery.
I do think the Broncos are a playoff team, but not the best team in the AFC West.
Who has impressed you in training camp?
— Nick, Laramie, Wyo.
Tough one to answer at this point, Nick, because the first four practices were in no pads and Monday’s fifth practice was in shells.
The easy answer is cornerback Pat Surtain II. He is the Broncos’ best player. It has been encouraging to see inside linebacker Josey Jewell back on the field after missing the last 15 games of 2021. Receiver Jerry Jeudy has made several nice catches in tight quarters.
Rookie outside linebacker Nik Bonitto has had several good pass-rushing plays.
Is anyone going into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame this year? I think Ed McCaffrey is long overdue to be put in and Demaryius Thomas is deserving. Al Wilson, too. That guy was a beast back in the day.
— Tim N., Thornton
For only the second time since 2012, the Broncos will not have a Ring of Fame inductee this year. The feeling was that with the ownership transition, this wasn’t the year to make that announcement before the Walton-Penner Group took over the team.
The Ring of Fame was created in 1984 and 35 people have been honored. There wasn’t an inductee from 1994-98 so going a year without one isn’t uncommon.
The 25th anniversary of the franchise’s first Super Bowl-winning team will be honored during homecoming weekend (Oct. 23 game against the New York Jets).
Is Peyton Manning going to be a part of the Broncos’ new ownership or play a role as a coach or a consultant? His vast wealth of knowledge would be great for this team.
— Ron, Parker
It’s not the $4.65 Billion Question, but we won’t know for sure if Manning has a role in the Walton-Penner Group until they take over the team (expected to be next Tuesday).
The thing that would really shock me — and everybody in football — would be Peyton The Coach. If he’s involved in the NFL, it will be at an upper management level. If I’m Rob Walton, I try to include Manning, even as an unofficial advisor.
