The Denver Broncos, once a proud and dominant franchise in the NFL, seem to be in a state of perpetual decline. From their legendary Super Bowl victories to their memorable playoff runs, the Broncos were long considered one of the NFL’s elite teams. However, as the franchise embarks on yet another disappointing season, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Denver Broncos may be facing a looming crisis, one that could prove difficult to recover from. In this article, we will explore the key factors contributing to their failure and why, unless radical changes are made, the Broncos are doomed to continue their downward spiral.
1. The Quarterback Nightmare
The most glaring issue facing the Denver Broncos over the past few seasons has been their inability to find and develop a franchise quarterback. Since Peyton Manning’s retirement in 2016, the Broncos have cycled through a variety of quarterbacks, none of whom have managed to deliver consistent success.
Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Drew Lock, and Teddy Bridgewater have all been brought in with the hope that one of them would finally fill the void left by Manning’s departure. However, none have succeeded in leading the Broncos back to relevance. The signing of Russell Wilson in 2022 was supposed to change that, but his performance has been underwhelming at best, and some would argue downright disastrous.
Wilson, once regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, has struggled to adapt to Denver’s offensive scheme. His poor decision-making, inability to read defenses, and tendency to hold onto the ball too long have resulted in numerous turnovers and lost opportunities. Despite his star power and high-profile contract, Wilson has yet to show the leadership and poise necessary to turn the Broncos’ offense into a playoff-caliber unit.
2. The Dysfunctional Coaching Staff
Another major issue for the Broncos is their ever-changing and dysfunctional coaching staff. Since the departure of Super Bowl-winning head coach Gary Kubiak in 2016, the Broncos have cycled through four head coaches: Vance Joseph, Vic Fangio, Nathaniel Hackett, and currently, Sean Payton. This revolving door of leadership has created a lack of stability, and it’s no surprise that the team has struggled to find consistency on the field.
While Sean Payton was seen as a potential savior when he was hired in 2023, early returns have been less than promising. Payton, once regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the NFL, has been unable to unlock the potential of Russell Wilson or the Broncos’ offense. Moreover, his time with the New Orleans Saints was marked by offensive success, but many argue that his methods may not be as effective in today’s NFL, especially when trying to adapt a once-elite quarterback to a new system.
The turnover at the head coach position has also led to a lack of cohesion among the staff. Each new coach brings in a different philosophy, different systems, and a new culture, which makes it incredibly difficult for players to find rhythm or continuity. This cycle of constant change is a recipe for failure, and the Broncos have yet to find the right leader who can steer them back to greatness.
3. Poor Drafting and Player Development
In the modern NFL, a team’s success is largely dictated by its ability to draft and develop talent. Unfortunately for the Broncos, their recent draft classes have been underwhelming, and their inability to hit on key picks has only added to their struggles. The Broncos have missed on several high-profile draft picks in recent years, and the lack of quality young talent on the roster is glaring.
Take, for example, their 2020 draft class, which has produced very little in terms of impact players. While the team did select wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in the first round, he has yet to live up to expectations as a true No. 1 receiver. Meanwhile, the defensive side of the ball has been similarly lacking, with players like linebacker Malik Reed and cornerback Michael Ojemudia failing to make any significant contributions.
Moreover, the Broncos have struggled to develop the players they do draft. In the NFL, it’s not enough to just bring in talent – you need to nurture and develop that talent to maximize its potential. The Broncos’ track record in this area has been subpar, and it’s hurting them both in the short and long term.
4. Ownership Issues
In 2022, the Denver Broncos were sold to a group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton for a record $4.65 billion. While this should have been a moment of optimism for the franchise, the transition in ownership has been far from smooth. The new ownership group, which is largely made up of individuals with no previous NFL experience, has struggled to make impactful decisions on both the business and football sides of the operation.
The lack of a clear, unified vision from ownership has contributed to the team’s organizational dysfunction. The Broncos’ front office has appeared disconnected from the football operations, and some have questioned whether the new owners truly understand the demands of running a competitive NFL franchise. The prolonged delay in hiring a permanent general manager also highlighted the lack of direction, and the team’s roster management continues to be inconsistent.
5. A Competitive AFC West
Finally, the Broncos’ struggles are compounded by the increasing competitiveness of the AFC West. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, have dominated the division for years, and the Los Angeles Chargers, under quarterback Justin Herbert, have emerged as a formidable force. Even the Las Vegas Raiders, while inconsistent, have had moments of success. With such strong competition within their division, the Broncos have found it difficult to keep pace.
The Broncos’ inability to compete with these top-tier teams has made it even harder to attract and retain talent, and it has led to a cycle of mediocrity. Unless the Broncos can dramatically improve their roster and coaching, the gap between them and the other AFC West teams will continue to grow.
Conclusion
The Denver Broncos are facing a perfect storm of mismanagement, poor player development, coaching dysfunction, and ownership instability that has them heading toward an uncertain future. Unless they can make significant changes in their approach to roster building, coaching stability, and ownership direction, it’s likely the Broncos will continue to spiral further into irrelevance. The days of Super Bowl contention may be a distant memory, and without a major overhaul, the Broncos could find themselves stuck in the NFL’s cellar for years to come.