Denver Post Broncos writer Parker Gabriel posts his Broncos Mailbag periodically during the offseason. Click here to submit a question.
Parker, Greetings from New York’s Finger Lakes. In your estimation, how much selling will the Broncos do at the NFL trade deadline? Who are sure bets to get moved?
— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.
Ed, thanks for writing in and getting us started this week! Next time Denver plays away from Empower Field, it will be over in Buffalo, not too far from you.
Of course, that game is after the NFL’s trading deadline, which arrives Oct. 31. How much different will the Broncos look then? At 1-5 and with the possibility of a full rebuild looking more and more real, Denver is primed to be active —or, if you want to take Sean Payton at his word, at least actively listening. So they could certainly unload several players. But the reality of the situation, of course, is that trading is like tangoing. It takes two, baby.
The question, then, is do we think teams are lining up to offer great value to Denver for a bunch of players on a bad team? Probably not. Other teams are only going to offer what they have to. If there’s a bidding war for a player, that’s great for the seller. If not, the buyer’s in great position.
There probably aren’t many completely untradeable players on the Broncos’ roster except maybe Pat Surtain II. But if you’re looking for starting-point candidates, you’re looking at veterans who could theoretically help a contending team and who aren’t part of the long-term plan in Denver. Payton said recently that he and general manager George Paton have a good idea at this point of their vision for the roster in 2024. Unfortunately, they haven’t added me to that Google doc just yet.
You’re talking about a realm of players, though, that includes receiver Courtland Sutton, left tackle Garett Bolles, safety Justin Simmons and linebacker Josey Jewell. That’s a starting point because none of them have guaranteed money on their contracts after this year, according to OvertheCap data. Then, obviously, receiver Jerry Jeudy’s name will continue to come up, too, and so could any number of free-agents-to-be like K’Waun Williams, Kareem Jackson, etc.
Regardless, though, we’re not talking about Denver unloading players and getting lavished with premium assets in return. We’re more likely talking about Day 3 picks and pick swaps in most cases.
When are the Broncos making a quarterback change?
— Enrique, Selma, Calif.
Hey Enrique, thanks for writing. Wilson over the season’s first four weeks played better than he had at any point during 2022. Then the past two weeks have been pretty rough. In fact, Thursday night at Kansas City was statistically his worst game since arriving in Denver and among the worst he’s played in the NFL. He had six worse single-game passer ratings over 10 years in Seattle and just two with a lower adjusted net yards per passing attempt (1.14 vs. the Chiefs). Of course, not all of the good stuff from the first four is to his credit and not all of the problems the past two are on his shoulders alone.
Offensively, players have felt like their group is close to a breakthrough essentially since the start of the season. Wilson’s been a little bit the same way. He showed signs of playing faster and making good decisions early on, but has reverted to too much running around over the past two weeks. Some of that is pressure. Some is receivers not getting open. But there’s also times that Wilson’s just got to take what’s available. Those are the ones that will frustrate Payton and the offensive coaching staff.
If Wilson and the Broncos offense put some of that efficiency together over the next two weeks at home against Green Bay and Kansas City? Great. If not, you head into the bye week of a lost season with more questions than answers.
Why?
Why do I spend money (Sunday Ticket, Prime, NFL+, ESPN+, etc) to watch this team continue to suck?
I used to travel to Denver for the home opener (and take my mom) no matter what. The only year I missed doing that since 2008 was when I was deployed overseas in the Middle East. We haven’t been there the last two years. I’m not spending $1,000 to get bothered by the atrocious product put forth.
I guess I’m a sucker for punishment. I didn’t feel like our WRs were putting the effort, Jerry Jeudy didn’t even try on that early screen before the fourth-down attempt. Didn’t look like anyone was working too hard at getting open, etc.
I won’t spend my money on a team that doesn’t even try to earn it any longer. If I don’t see improvement this season to make me want to shell out all that money next season I’ll just read about it here and watch prime time games like we did before Sunday ticket.
Broncos fans are a loyal bunch, but this team is losing us.
— Matt, New Orleans
You’ve always got a place to come vent here, Matt. Obviously the Broncos have plenty on the field to figure out, but it will be interesting between now and the bye week to keep an eye on how many Green Bay and Kansas City fans find their way into Empower Field.
Parker, when the Walton-Penner ownership group initially bought the Broncos, didn’t they say several times that they intended to have Peyton Manning be intimately involved in team operations and potentially be in line for an ownership percentage? What ever happened with that plan? Peyton has made Denver his retirement home, he attends all of the games as a season ticket holder, and he often does promo work for the team (like the schedule release). Yet, there has been no word from the WPOG about bringing Manning on board. What are they waiting for? Let’s get Peyton onboard ASAP! I know he’s having fun with his great MNF show with his brother, but being the GM and a minority owner might convince him to change jobs. Any thoughts?
— SpinDoc, Westminster
What’s up, SpinDoc? Thanks for the note. There was some reporting during the sale process that Denver and Manning had talks about an advisory role in the organization. When the sale got finalized in August 2022, though, CEO Greg Penner made it clear the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group wasn’t going past the original set of limited shareholders (former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Mellody Hobson and Sir Lewis Hamilton). He was asked specifically about Manning and John Elway and said in part, “we’re going to learn from both of them. It’s going to be a great relationship.”
Like trading, it also takes two to tango here, too. And Manning’s got a budding media empire with Omaha Productions. Some kind of role in the future? Seems like a possibility. General manager? The Sheriff’s probably not calling me up to ask for advice, but if he did: Let me answer that by asking you this: Why would you want to do that when you can do literally anything?
Where are our receivers? Why are they not getting the ball? All off-season we hear talk about how our receivers are such a strong group and then, nothing. Every. Single. Game.
Is it Russell Wilson? Is it the scheme? What in the world is going on?
— Brian, Littleton
The last two games have been ugly for sure, Brian. Early on you could maybe make an argument about balance. The past two weeks have just been pretty much non-impactful.
Against the Jets, Denver’s receivers combined for nine catches (12 targets) for 76 yards. Jerry Jeudy had six of the grabs and 50 of the yards.
Against the Chiefs, Denver’s receivers combined for seven catches (13 targets) for 60 yards. Courtland Sutton had four of the grabs for 46 and the corps’ only touchdown catch of the past two games.
Like an earlier question, there are a lot of factors at play. Certainly there are clips to be found where Wilson should pull the trigger and doesn’t. Clips where a receiver doesn’t finish a route or come back to the ball. Clips where the play design fails to actually stress the opposing defense.
To be fair, New York and Kansas City are pretty salty against the pass. Three catches for 14 from Jeudy, though, isn’t getting the job done. And there’s no good explanation for rookie Marvin Mims Jr. to get zero targets.
Parker, let’s talk about Steve Smith’s comments about Jerry Jeudy. He hasn’t done a ton this year — three catches for 14 yards last week certainly didn’t help — but I don’t know if we can completely put the blame entirely on him. These dinky throws to him in the flat don’t seem to be the best use for his skills. Wasn’t he supposed to be a phenomenal route runner coming out of college? Why aren’t we using him in that manner? It’s like Courtland Sutton and his deep-threat skills. Air it out there and see what he can do. Our run game is strong enough to open the passing game, so let’s try.
— Mike, Denver
Yeah Payton was asked about Jeudy’s frustration level on Monday and he acknowledged that it’s been a tough stretch. Part of Payton’s answer: “He’s a talented player. We need to continue to look for ways to get him throws, not only in the slot but outside.”
The answer at the end of the day has to be about efficiency. Jeudy doesn’t have to get 10 targets and they don’t have to dial up seven Wilson moon balls every outing. I actually liked the commitment to the run game early on against Kansas City. The Broncos called run plays on 12 of their first 18 offensive snaps. But they did nothing in the pass game to complement solid production on the ground.
Their first 11 drop-backs led to five completions for 13 yards, two sacks and an interception.
That’s not going to cut it regardless of who’s running the routes.
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.
