Denver Broncos Haven’t Modified At All As Losses Proceed Beneath Sean Payton

It’s a special yr and the identical previous story for the 2023 Denver Broncos.

Whereas the Broncos look a bit smoother and a bit extra dynamic beneath the management of latest head coach Sean Payton, they continue to be the identical previous franchise that may’t end off video games and comes up simply quick when it issues most.

The 2023 Broncos are off to a 0-2 begin regardless of beginning out the season with a comfortable schedule versus two beneath common opponents within the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders. Their newest loss — a 35-33 defeat to the Commanders — got here in essentially the most heartbreaking of trend after blowing an 18-point lead and shedding after a miraculous Hail Mary play.

The scene was very acquainted for the Broncos as Denver held a 21-3 lead simply previous to halftime. With Russell Wilson firing on all cylinders — he had two touchdowns within the first quarter of the staff — it appeared the Broncos would experience their option to a straightforward Week 2 victory.

Besides that wasn’t the case in any respect.

Issues are by no means straightforward for this franchise. With the Broncos holding all the momentum halfway by way of the second quarter and at Washington’s 45-yard-line, Wilson fumbled the ball on a quarterback run — he ought to have slid — and the Commanders recovered.

Though Denver held a 21-3 lead at that time, they have been by no means in a position to recuperate — the Broncos have been outscored 32-6 till a miraculous Hail Mary play on the finish of regulation. And in typical Broncos trend, they did not convert the 2-point conversion as Wilson threw an incomplete move to Courtland Sutton with a possibility to tie the sport.

This was presupposed to be a special Broncos staff. With Payton — a former Tremendous Bowl champion head coach and famend offensive genius — main the way in which, Denver was presupposed to beat a lot of these groups. They have been supposed to complete off the opposition after they had them down for the depend.

Nonetheless, the 2023 Broncos seem like only a smoother trying operation than their 2022 counterpart. Whereas Wilson seems extra environment friendly — he threw a 60-yard landing move to Marvin Mims in the course of the first half — he nonetheless declines as the sport progresses and may’t appear to transform huge performs when the Broncos want it most.

After beginning out the sport 6-for-8 for 154 passing yards, two touchdowns and nil interceptions with a 156.2 passer score within the first half, Wilson went by way of nearly all of the second half struggling simply to maneuver the ball. In truth, outdoors of the Broncos’ 50-yard hail mary landing catch, Wilson went 11-for-23 for 94 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

It’s no shock that Payton despatched a direct message to Wilson following the sport.

“There was numerous drives the place we’re late with personnel, getting out of the huddle we took some time,” mentioned Payton in the course of the postgame presser. “That’s acquired to vary. We burned timeouts within the first half, and I’m not used to doing. We’ve acquired to be higher. I’ve acquired to be higher, Russ has acquired to be sharper getting the play out.”

Of the Broncos’ 5 offensive drives within the second half — outdoors of the ultimate one — three of the 5 drives both led to three-and-outs or a turnover. The opposite two led to area targets.

Because the begin of the Wilson period, the Broncos at the moment are 4-11 in video games determined by eight factors or much less. In a league the place wins are dictated by which staff can pull out the massive play when it issues most, the Broncos are the final losers.

This comes only a week after after Denver misplaced one other heartbreaker at house to the Las Vegas Raiders. After scoring a good 13 factors at halftime, Denver scored simply three factors throughout all the second half.

It was the identical story as Wilson began out sizzling, going 18-of-20 for 130 yards and two touchdowns over the Broncos’ first three drives (all within the first half) in opposition to the Raiders. Nonetheless, he completed the sport simply 9-of-14 for 47 yards, together with going three-and-out on Denver’s ultimate drive whereas trailing 17-16.

It’s clear that it is a make-or-break season for Wilson. Whereas Payton will doubtless be right here for the long run after signing a five-year deal value $18 million per yr — he’s the second-highest paid coach within the NFL and all of American sports activities — Wilson’s future isn’t so sure in Denver.

The 34-year-old quarterback — he’ll flip 35 years previous in November — Wilson may quickly be on his final legs in Denver. Whereas his contract — a five-year, $242 million contract he signed simply previous to the beginning of the 2022 season — makes him onerous to maneuver, he may theoretically be traded in the course of the 2024 offseason.

If the Broncos commerce Wilson in a post-June 1st deal, Denver would take up roughly a $67 million cap hit over the course of 5 seasons. Nonetheless, they’d save $189 million over that very same time-frame, together with a minimum of $37 million every season from the 2025 season onwards.

Whereas the transfer would make apparent sense for monetary causes, the query is, what staff would hassle absorbing a declining and getting old quarterback with the worst contract within the NFL?

It’s no coincidence that Payton has nudged Wilson a number of occasions in latest months along with his feedback, together with telling his franchise quarterback to “cease kissing infants.”

“Will you f****** cease kissing all of the infants?” he instructed Wilson, based on ESPN’s Seth Wickersham. “You are not working for public workplace.”

The Broncos clearly have rather a lot of issues. The defensive unit — which was a lone vibrant spot throughout a tricky 2022 season — has clearly regressed beneath defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Joseph was introduced again to Denver after an underwhelming stint as head coach in the course of the 2017 and 2018 seasons, going 11-21 throughout his tenure with the Broncos.

It’s not stunning contemplating Joseph’s defensive items have by no means ranked within the prime 10 within the eight years he’s served as both a head coach or defensive coordinator.

This isn’t a staff anyplace near contending. Moreover, it’s a staff that appears like a better-looking model than the one from final season — with the identical outcomes.

If the Broncos don’t present progress and begin successful video games this season, one thing’s gotta change. And whereas it might not all be Wilson’s fault, it’s the star quarterback who’s extra prone to take the blame than anybody else.