The Denver Mustangs appear as though a group that could either reach as far down as possible or vie for a division title in 2023. This year, they are the most intriguing team in the NFL. There are a lot of reasons why I think many of us are very nervous about the Broncos. How will Russell Wilson appear first? Will Sean Payton’s expertise help him recover?
How will his performance as head coach be? Was Drew Brees a bigger factor in his success in New Orleans? Is the roster of the Broncos good enough? Can this roster compete with the best in the NFL given that there does not appear to be a significant weakness? The Denver Broncos have a lot of questions to answer this year, which is why I believe they will be the most intriguing team in the NFL in 2023. For a number of years following Peyton Manning’s retirement, Denver appeared to be a team that was “just a quarterback away.” Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler, Joe Flacco, Case Keenum, and Teddy Bridgewater were among the average veterans they passed through. Drew Lock and Paxton Lynch were also draft picks that they didn’t use. The Broncos thought they had acquired their quarterback when they traded for Russell Wilson in 2022.
After that, Wilson had his worst NFL season yet, and many people have questioned whether or not he can continue playing as a competent starter in the NFL. Things seem to be improving now, in 2023. Russell Wilson has returned to his normal playing weight after losing 15 pounds. He’s pre-owned his legs more this offseason. Even Sean Payton has stated that he believes Wilson will be closer to his numbers from 2020 and 2021 than his numbers from 2022.
However, many people aren’t investing in the Denver Broncos in 2023 because they are afraid of the unknown. The team appears to have a solid offensive line and effective playmakers in addition to a solid defense. What makes Denver so intriguing is the manner by which their season can go. This team is likely to win double-digit games and even compete for a division title, in my opinion, if they hit their stride and Payton and Wilson work well together.
Sean Payton and Russell Wilson get an opportunity to be one of the absolute best HC/QB teams in the NFL over the course of the following couple of years on the off chance that they can function admirably together and Wilson can work inside the offense. One of only three HC/QB duos currently in the NFL to have won a Super Bowl, Payton and Wilson have won at the highest level.
Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford won the Super Bowl in 2021, and Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes won the Super Bowl in 2019 and 2022. Wilson and Payton both have impressive pedigrees, but are they likely to get over the hump? That is where the Denver Broncos’ floor comes from in 2023. The Broncos are probably at their lowest point because Payton and Wilson are both well past their primes.
Russell Wilson isn’t obviously superior to he was in 2022 and maybe even the safeguard fails to meet expectations under Vance Joseph. Despite Denver’s five or six wins, the team once again has an insignificant year. The contrast between the roof and floor of this group is very amazing, and I feel that is the reason the Denver Horses are the most fascinating group with regards to the NFL this year.