The end to the Broncos season can’t be called anything other than disappointing. But, everything that led up to the 31-unanswered points they gave up to the Buffalo Bills Sunday, can’t be called anything other than exciting, or hopeful, or just plain fun.
Yes a 31-7 loss to one of the 4 best QBs on the planet, and perhaps this year’s league MVP stings. But considering the “experts” in Vegas thought the Broncos would win 6 games at best. Respected experts at places like Pro Football Focus said the Broncos had the 32nd ranked roster in the league. And several pundits like Mike Clay at ESPN thought they would have a great chance to draft No. 1 overall this Spring, Well, this team, led by a rookie QB that too many people to count said was a reach at 12, and was easily the 6th of the historic six signal callers taken in the top 12 of last year’s draft, shut all of those critics up.
Of course, following a difficult loss that ends a season, you aren’t going to get a lot of reflection on the litany of positive steps taken from a head coach, or really any player, but it didn’t stop us from trying. I asked Sean Payton, based on the team’s youth, as well as several unproven players, and salary cap restrictions ($91 Million in dead-money, meaning they could only spend up to $156 Million this season, when the rest of the NFL could spend up to $255 Million) and low expectations outside of their training facility, how happy were you with the progress this team made in his 2nd year at the helm? He responded with a typical Payton-type answer, “Yeah, there’s a time for that.”, he said. “We get out of that cap problem, now that the cap we have available, everyone has available. It’s not like our dollar is stronger than everyone else’s. We have to have a good off-season.”
Quarterback Bo Nix, who had one of the better rookie campaigns in NFL history was understandably frustrated by the loss, and scoring only 7 points, was something he harped on postgame, saying they can’t score on TD and expect to beat good teams. But, the first-rounder from Oregon, did understand that he and his team took a big step, “We didn’t win a Super Bowl, so, there’s a lot to learn from, a lot to grow from,” he said. “The cliché good answer would be we had a winning season, we made it to the playoffs, we did something that we haven’t done in a while. We competed hard against teams that are really good. We just kind of showed up [and] proved to ourselves that we belong in some of these games. You play this game to reach the highest level, so I don’t want to be complacent and I don’t want to ever be just comfortable and satisfied and happy with something that looks good on the outside. You play this game to win, and everybody’s working for a Super Bowl. We owe that to ourselves because of the time that we put into it. Unfortunately, only one team can do that at the end of the year, so 31 teams are going home disappointed.”
With what Nix did on the year, throwing for 29 scores, and running for another 4, completing nearly 65% of his passes, racking up nearly 3,800 yards in the air, and almost 500 on the ground, that alone would be enough to be excited about. But his offensive line is set for next year and perhaps beyond, highlighted by the best right guard in football in 1st-team All-Pro Quinn Meinerz. Nix is developing chemistry with his pass catchers, although it’s safe to assume veteran wideout Courtland Sutton will look for a new contract, rather than play the final year of his current deal as it’s presently constructed. In addition to being the best punt returner in the NFL, Marvin Mims Jr. continues to develop as a wide receiver and as a weapon out of the backfield as well. Perhaps he may become the coveted “joker” player that Payton has featured several times in his offense when a player displays those traits.
The defense set the tone that the rest of the team followed, and led the NFL in sacks with 63, as outside linebacker Nik Bonitto earned 2nd team all-pro honors and was named Pro Bowl starter with his team-high 13.5 sacks. His tag-team partner on the opposite side, Jonathon Cooper had 10.5 sacks of his own, and was rewarded with a new contract mid-season. Zach Allen, despite being overlooked as a Pro-Bowler, was deservedly named, 2nd team all-pro as well, after leading the NFL in pressures from the interior and posting 8.5 sacks. Although he has 2 years left on his deal, a restructured extension seems likely, as does one for fellow defensive end John Franklin-Myers, who signed a new 2-year deal upon being acquired by Denver draft week from the Jets, but based on his 7-sack season, a new deal isn’t out of the question either.
The biggest deal the team did author this year was for not only its best player, but the likely NFL Defensive Player of the Year in Cornerback Pat Surtain Jr., who signed the highest contract for a defensive back in NFL history in October. And despite the frustrating end to the season, in what was his worst game of the year, the 3-time 1st team all-pro, is also excited about where his team is headed, after making the playoffs for the first time in his 4-year career, he knows they are closer to beating the other playoff teams when it counts. “We’re not that far off,” Surtain surmised. “Like I said, in order to establish that greatness, we have to do it consistently. I think we have the right tools to do that—to win consistently at a high level. This season, everybody had us not that high--not even having us making the playoffs. To reach that point, it means something, but obviously we know we’re much better than what we put out there. We just have to learn from it, build on it and get back better next year.”
Most of the team’s free agents they might like to have back, but likely won’t lose sleep if they sign elsewhere. Both inside linebackers Cody Barton and Justin Strnad are on expiring 1-year deals. Running back Javonte Williams is likely going to be gone. And beyond that, it’s mostly role-players, who can be easily replaced. Also, the team currently has about $60 Million available based on next season’s expected salary cap projection.
Continuity is always a big key to a team’s success, and the biggest disruption to that could come if Defensive Coordinator, Vance Joseph, ends up landing a head coaching job. He’s not considered the highest on the list, but based on what guys like Dan Quinn are doing in Washington, he may become more attractive. As it stands, VJ is only set to speak with the Jets, but there’s a strong chance a couple more teams will seek permission to interview the former Broncos head coach as well.
It should comfort Broncos fans to know that continuity between the QB and his play caller won’t be disrupted, and it’s going to be fun to see Nix grow with Sean Payton. And while he may not be where Drew Brees was after 15-years with Payton in New Orleans, Nix knows that overall this was a really good season for he and his teammates, and everyone in Broncos Country should share his sentiment, “It’s a lot to grow from, a lot to build from,” he said. “I’m excited where we are. Like I said, I’m excited to be here at this time, because our trajectory is going up. I’m excited for it. A lot of things we have out in front of us, a lot to look forward to, which I’m pumped about.
