State of the Franchise: Denver Broncos

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In what looked to be a new year and new team for the Denver Broncos. This season so far has shown no difference from last year. After the Broncos started 3-0 against favorable matchups, the Broncos versus AFC contenders have looked like a shell of themselves with rough drives, miscommunication on defense, and questionable playcalling.

Is this to say the Broncos are tanking? I would say no. Just because the Broncos invested so much into the team this offseason both on offense and defense. From Teddy Bridgewater to Kyle Fuller, the Broncos tried to make contending moves to compete. The problem is that the players just have not panned out and realistically are playing mediocre. As their mediocrity is not due to them being bad players or the franchise being in a bad position bur rather the Broncos are just in a continuous dilemma of bad luck from injuries to a shortage of uninspiring plays.

On offense, the team struggles to convert on third down, move the chains, create big plays, and protect the QB. On defense, the Broncos have been decent but have not played to the level fans expected them to be. Their struggles so far have been defending the deep ball, miscommunication, inconsistent pass rush, and overall not stopping teams on third down at a good rate (19th ranked).

In essence, you can credit their problems to bad coaching but overall as a franchise, the Broncos have not been progressing in the right direction rather declining each and every year.

So in the end you may ask yourself what can Broncos fans look forward to for the rest of the season? Well, I can tell that although there are many negatives so far, positives that have arisen are the emergence of rookie running back Javonte Williams, cornerback Pat Surtain III, a returning Jerry Jeudy, GM George Paton, and a ton of cap space. As Broncos under George Paton are positioned to rebuild easily and return to their contending ways.

With the Broncos now 3-3 playing a short week Thursday Night Football game against the Browns. The Broncos from Thursday to the end of the season should at least play competitive football and hopefully prove doubters their season hasn’t ended just yet.

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