Tag: Broncos Wire Podcast

Broncos Wire podcast: QB competition, trades and UDFA sleepers

On the latest Broncos Wire podcast, Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath discuss Bo Nix and the QB battle, trades, sleeper UDFAs and the new uniforms!

What a whirlwind of an offseason it’s been for the Denver Broncos!

One week after the 2024 NFL draft, I joined host Ryan O’Leary on the Broncos Wire podcast to discuss Denver’s quarterback situation, recent (and upcoming?) trades, sleeper UDFAs, the new uniforms and much more.

You can listen to episode No. 109 below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
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Check out our notes from this week’s podcast below. 

Broncos draft QB Bo Nix 
  • Denver used the 12th overall pick in the first round to select Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. Good move?
Broncos trade for QB Zach Wilson 
  • Denver sent a 6th-round pick to the Jets in exchange for a 7th-round pick and QB Zach Wilson. Broncos and New York will split his salary (about $2.72 million each).
  • It’s a lottery ticket for Denver. Wilson probably isn’t going to become a great QB, but it’s a low-risk move and you never know. Worth a shot.
  • Broncos now have Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson at QB. Quite a summer competition. Will they carry 3 QBs? If not, who gets cut?
Broncos trade for DE John Franklin-Myers
  • Denver sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Jets for DE John Franklin-Myers. After paying Haason Reddick, New York couldn’t afford to keep Franklin-Myers, so the Broncos got a huge discount.
  • He had 50-straight starts for the Jets, totaling 14.5 sacks. I think of him as Denver’s new Dre’Mont Jones.
  • Broncos now have an excellent front-three rotation of Zach Allen, Franklin Myers, D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach.
Broncos aren’t trading Courtland Sutton (right now) 
  • The WR room is very crowded, so we’ll see if a trade might happen later.
  • WRs: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Tim Patric, Josh Reynold, Troy Franklin, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Jalen Virgil, Brandon Johnson, Devaughn Vele
Other notable draft picks 
  • Round 3: OLB Jonah Elliss, Utah (12 sacks last year; Dad played for DEN)
  • Round 4: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon (steal, Nix’s favorite WR; 14 TDs in ’23)
  • Round 5: CB Kris Abram-Draine, Missouri (good depth, versatile)
  • Round 5: RB Audric Estimé, Notre Dame (4.71, but bruiser, vision, smart) (es-ta-may)
2 notable undrafted free agent signings 
  • RB Blake Watson, Memphis (UDFA RB1)
  • OT Frank Crum, Wyoming (UDFA OT1)
  • RBs: Williams, Samaje, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estimé, Blake Watson
Broncos got new uniforms 

What’s next? 

  • Rookie minicamp in May, then OTAs
  • NFL schedule coming May 9?
  • Mandatory minicamp in mid-June
  • Training camp begins in late July
  • Preseason and roster cuts in August
Ryan and I will return with new episodes as news pops up this summer.
If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos Wire podcast: Courtland Sutton’s status + NFL draft thoughts

On a new Broncos Wire podcast, Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath discuss Courtland Sutton’s status and preview Denver’s picks in the NFL draft.

We’re now less than one week away from the 2024 NFL draft!

Looking ahead to next week’s draft, I joined host Ryan O’Leary on the Broncos Wire podcast to discuss Courtland Sutton’s status, Denver’s options at pick No. 12 and my latest seven-round mock draft for the Broncos.

You can listen to episode No. 108 below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
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Check out our notes from this week’s podcast below. 

1. Courtland Sutton wants a revised contract
  • Sutton is skipping the voluntary part of offseason workouts because he’s not happy with his contract. Only $2 million is guaranteed this year and there’s no guarantees next year.
  • Sutton has base salary of $13M in 2024 and $13.5M in 2015 but salary cap hits of $17.39M and $17.82M over the next two years.
  • We love ya, Court, but read the room! After eating $53 million to cut Russell Wilson, I think the Broncos are far more likely to trade Sutton than give him a pay raise.
  • Trade candidates: Steelers? Ravens? Patriots? Bills?
2. Seven-round mock draft for Broncos 
  • Trade OT Garett Bolles to Patriots for 2nd-round pick
  • Trade WR Courtland Sutton to Cardinals for 3rd-round pick
  • Trade pick No. 147 (Round 5) to Saints for TE Taysom Hill 
  • Round 1, pick 12: OL Troy Fautanu, Washington
  • Round 2, pick 34: QB Michael Pratt, Tulane
  • Round 3, pick 76: DL T’Vondre Sweat, Texas (*DWI)
  • Round 3, pick 90: CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri (via trade)
  • Round 4, pick 121: OLB Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
  • Round 5, pick 136: RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville
  • Round 5, pick 145: WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice
  • Round 6, pick 203: OLB Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian
  • Round 6, pick 207: LB Jordan Magee, Temple
3. Takeaways from pre-draft press conference 
  • Teams have called about potential trade up/down
  • Don’t want to force a QB at 12, BPA with first pick
  • Team seemed unconcerned about Sutton’s absence

Ryan and I will return next week to react to Denver’s draft class.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos Wire podcast: Discussing wild QB options and top needs in the NFL draft

On the latest Broncos Wire podcast, Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath list several wild QB options and then discuss Denver’s biggest draft needs.

The 2024 NFL draft is now just two weeks away, and it’s time for a new episode of the Broncos Wire podcast.

On this week’s episode, I joined Broncos Wire host Ryan O’Leary to discuss wild quarterback options and the team’s biggest draft needs (among other topics). You can listen to episode No. 107 below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Check out our notes from this week’s podcast below. 

Dak Prescott? 
  • The Cowboys aren’t giving Dak Prescott an extension, so he’s set to become a free agent in 2025. Should the Broncos go all in to sign him next year? Or trade for him now?
Even more wild QB options 
  • The Broncos passed on (or failed to sign) the veteran QBs that were available during free agency. A few weeks ago, Sean Payton said: “There are still a few possibilities relative to guys who are currently in this league or have played in this league” (emphasis added).
  • Realistically, Payton is probably talking about somebody boring like Ryan Tannehill. It wouldn’t be shocking if Denver adds a veteran after the draft.
NFL draft needs
  • QB: Obvious.
  • CB: Top prospect, or Riley Moss steps up, or sign vet after draft.
  • OLB: Need an elite pass rusher (Baron Browning oft-injured, Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper are more rotational types)
  • DL: Zach Allen/D.J. Jones/Malcolm Roach are good starting trio, but not much depth behind them.
  • ILB: Alex Singleton and Cody Barton are short-term answers. Jonas Griffith has potential. Denver needs an athletic long-term option.
  • OT: Really depends on if Garett Bolles is getting an extension.
  • TE: Doesn’t need to be a high priority, but depth is needed behind Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich and Lucas Krull.
  • WR: Not a pressing need, but Courtland Sutton has 2 years on contract, Tim Patrick has one year left on deal and Josh Reynolds is 29.
  • RB: Again, not an immediate need, but Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine will become free agents in 2025.
New NFL rules 

Ryan and I will return next week with a final mock draft.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos Wire podcast: What’s the plan at quarterback?

What is Denver’s quarterback plan in 2024? Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath discussed that and much more on the latest Broncos Wire podcast.

What a whirlwind of an offseason it’s been for the Denver Broncos!

To catch up on all the latest news and rumors since our last episode, I joined Broncos Wire host Ryan O’Leary on this week’s podcast. We discussed — among many other topics — Russell Wilson’s release and what comes next at quarterback for Denver.

You can listen to episode No. 106 below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
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You can view our notes from this week’s episode below.

Russell Wilson era officially ends 
  • The Broncos cut Wilson and he signed a one-year, league-minimum deal with the Steelers that leaves Denver on the hook to pay his remaining $37.79 million salary in 2024. Broncos will eat $53 million this season.
  • Wilson is expected to start for Pittsburgh this year and the Broncos are scheduled to host the Steelers in 2024 🍿
So what’s the plan at quarterback? 
  • Some of the free agents who signed elsewhere: Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Jameis Winston. Several QBs were also traded, including Justin Fields and Sam Howell.
  • So who’s left for Denver? The most notable free agent is Ryan Tannehill and the most notable trade candidate is Zach Wilson. No thanks to both.
  • Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels might be picked 1-2-3 in April and now the Vikings are positioned to trade up for a QB. Denver won’t be able to land one of Williams, Maye, Daniels or J.J. McCarthy without a trade.
  • Speaking of McCarthy, there’s been a lot of smoke connecting him to the Broncos, but will the Vikings beat them to him?
Russell Wilson wasn’t the only notable exit 
  • LB Josey Jewell left in free agency to sign a big deal with the Panthers. The Broncos signed Cody Barton as a replacement and they also have Alex Singleton and Jonas Griffith returning.
Two other notes since we last recorded
  • DBs coach Christian Parker left the team to join the Eagles, reuniting with Vic Fangio. Vance Joseph remains Denver’s DC, but the new DBs coach is Jim Leonhard, who previously interviewed for DC jobs with the Packers and Eagles in the past (Green Bay even offered him the job). I wouldn’t be shocked if Leonhard ends up as the Broncos’ DC at some point.
  • Broncos legendary linebacker Randy Gradishar, the anchor of the famous “Orange Crush” defense, was elected to the Hall of Fame as a senior candidate. He’ll be enshrined in August and we should have an announcement any day now for Hall of Fame Game teams. Denver could be a 2024 candidate, but they did recently feature in the game in 2019.
What’s next? 

Perhaps some budget free agent signings here and there followed by pro days and pre-draft visits and the NFL draft at the end of April. Stay tuned for mock drafts and prospect visit updates!

***

Ryan and I will return with new episodes when news pops up during the offseason.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos Wire podcast: Coaching updates + Courtland Sutton status

On our latest podcast, Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath discuss coaching staff changes, Courtland Sutton’s status, Super Bowl LVIII and more.

Bring on the NFL offseason!

On the latest episode of the Broncos Wire podcast, I joined host Ryan O’Leary to discuss coaching staff changes, Courtland Sutton’s trade status, Super Bowl LVIII and more.

You can listen to episode No. 104 below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

You can view our notes from this week’s episode below.

NFL coaching carousel updates
  • Raiders stick with Antonio Pierce (5-4 as interim)
  • Chargers land Jim Harbaugh, who turned down Greg Penner last year and remained at Michigan. Now having won a national championship, Harbaugh will return to the NFL and he’s landing in the AFC West.
  • Would we rather have Harbaugh and last year’s 1st-round pick and this year’s 2nd-round pick or Sean Payton right now?
  • At least neither Bill Belichick nor Mike Vrabel have landed in the division. Belichick for Broncos defensive coordinator??? 👀
  • After losing DC  Ejiro Evero last year, Payton wanted to hire Vic Fangio as DC, but Fangio did not return to Denver. Fangio then joined the Dolphins and after one season he is leaving Miami for a lateral move to the Eagles.
  • The Broncos, meanwhile, have said nothing about the status of DC Vance Joseph, so he’s presumably sticking around for 2024? DBs coach Christian Parker has drawn interest from Pats and Packers as DC candidate.
  • Not a coach update, but front office related: Broncos hired Saints assistant college scouting director Cody Rager as their new vice president of player personnel. GM George Paton is sticking around, but Rager is a “Payton guy” and I can’t help but wonder if a promotion might be in store for him down the road …

Courtland Sutton expecting to leave Broncos in 2024?

  • Sutton wrote a post on his Instagram page that kind of sounded like a goodbye to Broncos fans. Part of it read, “I know all things happen for a reason and I trust my Gods plans over everything including whatever is next for me. Just know I gave everything to this team and organization every time I stepped on that field! All Love 14 🤟🏾.”
  • Last offseason, when there were rumors of the Broncos potentially trading Sutton, he wrote “I just want to be where I’m wanted and appreciated” on his Twitter page. No trade happened and he scored 10 touchdowns in 2023.
  • Now going into 2024, Denver has six draft picks and GM George Paton has said they would like to get more through trades. Players like Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Justin Simmons might be trade candidates as the Broncos look to acquire more picks and enter a rebuilding phase.
Super Bowl LVIII
  • Go 49ers, go!
  • Broncos fans can’t help but wonder what the team would look like if Mike Shanahan’s son was Denver’s coach, Ed McCaffrey’s son was their star running back and Hall of Fame Broncos safety John Lynch was their GM.
  • Kyle Shanahan interviewed for Denver’s HC job in 2017 but Joe Ellis and John Elway hired Vance Joseph instead.
  • Elway helped mentor John Lynch as a GM trainee — he sat in on Broncos’ drafts — and late former owner Pat Bowlen offered Lynch a job with the team “many times.” Lynch chose to instead wait for the perfect opportunity and he got it when the 49ers offered him their GM job in 2017.
  • It’s a bummer that the Broncos were not able to land Shanahan, McCaffrey and Lynch in 2017, but we’ll definitely be rooting for them to beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Consider me a die-hard San Francisco fan!

Ryan and I will return with new episodes when news pops up during the offseason.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos Wire podcast: What will the team do at quarterback?

On the latest Broncos Wire podcast, Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath chat about Russell Wilson, Jarrett Stidham, Justin Fields (!) and more.

Well, that was quite a season.

Following the conclusion of the Denver Broncos’ 2023 season, I joined host Ryan O’Leary on the Broncos Wire podcast to discuss Russell Wilson’s future, Jarrett Stidham’s status, a hypothetical trade for Justin Fields, Pro Bowl snubs, Hard Knocks and more!

You can listen to episode No. 103 below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
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Our notes for this week’s pod can be seen below (we did not follow the notes very closely this week).

Jarrett Stidham provided no spark

  • Yeah, OK, Sean Payton … Denver’s offense scored 16 and 17 points in two weeks under Jarrett Stidham. It was about the money.
  • So what do the Broncos do at QB now?
My QB idea for 2024 
  • Cut Jarrett Stidham, save $5 million. Sign Jameis Winston ($4.5M in 2023), who went 5-2 under Sean Payton in 2021.
Broncos will select 12th overall in NFL draft
  • Draft Wire’s latest mock: Jayden Daniels (No. 1), Caleb Williams (No. 2), Drake Maye (No. 5), Bo Nix (No. 9), Michael Penix (No. 11). Not picked in first round: J.J. McCarthy.
2024 free agents of note 
  • DB P.J. Locke
  • C Lloyd Cushenberry
  • K Wil Lutz
  • LB Josey Jewell
  • TE Adam Trautman
  • FB Mike Burton
Broncos are $24M over cap. Cut/trade candidates to save cap space 
  • Trade WR Jerry Jeudy ($12.98M)
  • Cut WR Tim Patrick ($10M)
  • Cut LT Garett Bolles? ($16M)
  • Cut DL D.J. Jones?? ($10M)
Pro Bowl + snubs 
  • CB Pat Surtain, DB Justin Simmons & KR/PR Marvin Mims voted to PB
  • Biggest snubs: WR Courtland Sutton (10 TDs) and OL Quinn Meinerz (PFF’s No. 1-rated guard in the AFC)
  • Honorable mentions: CB Ja’Quan McMillian, ILB Alex Singleton
Hard Knocks 
  • Teams can be forced into Hard Knocks if they don’t have a new head coach (✅), haven’t been on the show in 10 year (✅) and haven’t made the playoffs in at least two years (✅).
  • If the NFL asks the Broncos to be featured on Hard Knocks in 2024, the team can’t say no.

Ryan and I will return with new episodes when news pops up during the offseason.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos Wire podcast: More thoughts on the Russell Wilson situation

On the latest podcast, Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath discuss Russell Wilson vs. Jarrett Stidham, Sunday’s game and more. Listen in!

Welcome to the final week of the 2023 (regular) season.

Because the Denver Broncos did not qualify for the playoffs, their season will end on Sunday. With the Broncos already eliminated from postseason contention, the biggest story around the team is the benching of quarterback Russell Wilson.

On the latest Broncos Wire podcast, I joined host Ryan O’Leary to discuss the Wilson situation, Jarrett Stidham replacing him, Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders and more.

You can listen to episode No. 102 below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
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Our notes for this week’s pod can be seen below.

Broncos win, but eliminated anyway 
  • The outcome that was most likely — Denver has been eliminated from playoff contention due to other results in the AFC. Thus ends the 2023 season.
  • The good news: The Broncos can still finish with a winning record (9-8) and Sean Payton has talked about how that was important for the Lions last year (and look at Detroit now). Payton is the first coach to get eight wins with Denver since Gary Kubiak stepped down following the 2016 season (which was their last winning season at 9-7).
Jarrett Stidham was … fine 
  • The results on offense really didn’t look that different from a Russell Wilson performance, BUT Stidham does not have $37 million guaranteed for injury.
  • Stidham had several passes behind his receivers, but I’m not too worried about that because he hasn’t gotten first-team reps all season. He also threw it deep into double coverage a few times and could have been intercepted once or twice. So it certainly wasn’t a great performance.
  • It was enough though. A win’s a win, the first victory of his career. He’ll now start the team’s season finale against the Raiders in Vegas.
Broncos currently hold 14th overall draft pick 
  • If they lose, could crack top 10 if teams above them win. If they win, Denver could drop as low as 18th. They’re not going to tank, though. The players want to win and Payton wants to win.
Broncos are underdogs vs. Raiders 
  • Denver is a 2.5-point underdog and the over/under is 38. Blah, blah, blah, who cares?
  • Can the Broncos win on the road and secure their first winning season since 2017? No postseason this year, but Denver can still end the season on a positive note.

Ryan and I will return next week to wrap up the season.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos Wire podcast: Reaction to Russell Wilson getting benched

On the latest podcast, we discuss Russell Wilson’s benching, George Paton’s future, Kareem Jackson getting cut and Denver’s playoff chances.

There’s a lot to talk about in Broncos Country this week, with the biggest storyline being the benching of quarterback Russell Wilson.

On the latest Broncos Wire podcast, I joined host Ryan O’Leary to discuss the Wilson news, George Paton’s future with the team, Kareem Jackson getting cut, Denver’s (slim) playoff chances and Sunday’s game against the Chargers.

You can listen to episode No. 101 below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Our notes for this week’s pod can be seen below.

Broncos bench QB Russell Wilson
  • Logically, money has to at least be part of the equation. If Russell Wilson gets hurt and can’t pass a physical on March 17, he will have $37 million guaranteed in 2025. By benching him, Broncos rule out risk of Wilson being injured as a starter and locking in $37 million two years from now.
  • But it’s more than just the money. Sean Payton has been dropping hints for weeks that he’s not satisfied with Wilson’s performance, and he might genuinely believe Jarrett Stidham gives them a better chance to win the last two games of the season. Stidham signed a two-year, $10 million contract this offseason, not a small number for a backup.
  • The Broncos seem likely to move on from Wilson during the offseason. If Stidham plays well over the next two weeks, Denver could perhaps plan to go into next season with Stidham and a rookie quarterback.
Is George Paton next?
  • Paton traded three players, 1st-, 2nd- and 5th-round picks in 2022 plus 1st- and 2nd-round picks in 2023 in exchange for Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round pick. In addition to those picks in players, Paton immediately gave Wilson a five-year, $245 million contract.
  • This will likely go down as one of the worst trades in NFL history and Paton orchestrated it. After benching Wilson in 2023, will the Broncos fire Paton in 2024?
Kareem Jackson cut
  • When Jackson returned from his initial 2-game suspension, Payton told him the Broncos had a good thing going and to not [mess] it up. Jackson them promptly launched himself headfirst into Josh Dobbs in his first game back and received another 4-game suspension.
  • When Jackson returned from the second suspension, Denver had to cut somebody to make room for him on the roster or simply cut Jackson. The Broncos chose to cut Jackson, hoping to re-sign him to the practice squad for depth (he doesn’t play special teams and wasn’t going to start over P.J. Locke on defense).
  • The Texans then claimed Jackson off waivers, ending his time with the Broncos. Jackson will become a free agent in 2024 and will turn 36. He had a good career, but after multiple fines, ejections and suspensions, Jackson seems likely to retire after the 2023 season.
 NFL playoffs: Week 17 rooting guide
  • Yes, I know it’s extremely unlikely, but the Broncos can technically still make the NFL playoffs via two possible routes.
  • One way would be for the Chiefs to lose out (Bengals, Chargers) and the Broncos to win out (Chargers, Raiders). In that scenario, Denver would win the AFC West with a 9-8 record.
  • The other way would be for the Broncos to make it as a Wild Card team, which would require multiple teams losing out.
  • Wild Card scenario rooting guide: Patriots beat Bill. Seahawks beat Steelers, Chiefs beat Bengals, Titans beat Texans, Panthers beat Jaguars, Raiders beat Colts.
 Broncos-Chargers preview 
  • Denver is a 3-point favorite. Over/under is 37.5
  • Broncos beat Chargers 24-7 last time. Denver now has Stidham at QB and Los Angeles now has Easton Stick at QB.
  • If the Broncos lose, they are eliminated from playoff contention no matter what happens in the other games.

Ryan and I will return each week during the season to react to every game.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos Wire podcast: Sean Payton vs. Russell Wilson + Patriots preview

On this week’s podcast, Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath discuss the Sean Payton-Russell Wilson moment and preview the Patriots game. Listen in!

Merry Christmas, Broncos Country!

On this week’s Broncos Wire podcast, I joined host Ryan O’Leary to discuss Sean Payton blowing up at Russell Wilson last week, Denver’s running back situation, the AFC playoff picture and a Christmas Eve showdown with the Patriots.

You can listen to episode No. 100 below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Our notes for this week’s pod can be seen below.

Does Sean Payton hate Russell Wilson? 
  • In the 3rd quarter of Saturday’s game against the Lions, NFL Network cameras spotted Payton yelling at Wilson on the sideline.
  • Denver failed to score three plays in a row and then had a touchdown nullified by guard Quinn Meinerz lining up in the neutral zone. It doesn’t seem like Wilson himself had done anything wrong, but Payton let him have it.
  • Maybe Wilson was supposed to change the play? Some people have guessed that he ran a play too quickly, not allowing Payton to challenge a previous play? Neither of those guesses have been confirmed by Payton or Wilson.
  • Payton insists that he was just angry about the situation and was yelling in the heat of the moment. Do we believe him? Was it pent up frustration that he has with Wilson that came out during a blowout loss?
Should the Broncos make a change at running back? 
  • Javonte Williams hasn’t seemed to return to his old form since his 2023 knee injury. His yards per carry over the last seven games: 2.3, 3.9, 3.5, 3.6, 3.4, 3.8, 3.1.
  • Samaje Perine, meanwhile, averaged 6.2 YPC on Sunday and 4.0 YPC the week before that. It’s obviously a much smaller sample size, and game situation does impact the averages, but Perine has looked like a better running back over the last few weeks.
  • Perine is also the team’s best receiving back and best pass blocker.
  • Long-term, I think Javonte will bounce back next year and be the team’s best RB1 option. For the final three games of 2023, though, maybe the Broncos should ride the hot hand and give Perine more carries.
Playoff update: No room for error now 
  • The Broncos can still make the NFL playoffs with a 10-7 record, but they need to win out and get a little bit of help.
  • vs. Patriots (3-11), vs. Chargers (5-9), @ Raiders (6-8).
  • Consultation if they miss the playoffs? Watching Saturday’s game against a legit team made be wonder if Denver would get embarrassed in the Wild Card round if they squeak into the playoffs. Obviously it would depend on the matchup and I’m still rooting for a playoff berth, but I’m a little bit more hesitant about the playoff-worthiness of the Broncos after 42-17.
The Patriots are coming to town on Christmas Eve 
  • Broncos are listed as 6-point favorites. The over/under for total points scored is 34.5 (New England games average 34.7 this year / Broncos 46.8).
  • I honestly am a little worried about the Patriots. Bill’s defense is still a formidable foe and Denver’s offense has been up and down. This could definitely be an ugly, low-scoring game. Merry Christmas, everybody!

Ryan and I will return each week during the season to react to every game.

If you enjoy this podcast, you can check out previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or on your podcast service of choice. Please consider giving the podcast a positive rating and review!

You can listen to every past episode below or at this link.

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Broncos Wire podcast: Pro Bowl voting update and playoff push

On this week’s podcast, Ryan O’Leary and Jon Heath discuss Russell Wilson’s long-term status, the playoff picture, Saturday’s game and more!

Another week, another Broncos Wire podcast!

On this week’s podcast,  I joined host Ryan O’Leary to discuss the win in Los Angeles, provide an update on Pro Bowl voting, break down the playoff picture and preview Saturday’s game against the Lions.

You can listen to episode No. 98 below:

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
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Our notes for this week’s pod can be seen below.

Ho-hum win for the Broncos 
  • More of the same for Denver — the offense wasn’t great, but it was good enough. Russell Wilson wasn’t great, but he wasn’t terrible. He was fine.
  • The Chargers are a mess. Brandon Staley‘s unit went 0-of-12 on third down and 1-of-6 on fourth down. Los Angeles also lost Justin Herbert to a finger injury (Broncos will face them at home in Week 17).
  • The defense forced six sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and what should have been a fumble-six for Ja’Quan McMillian (Mac-milan), who continues to make play after play.
  • Kareem Jackson can return after the Lions game, but P.J. Locke has played so well at safety that I don’t think Jackson will get his starting job back. Locke had seven tackles, one pass breakup, one sack and one forced fumble on Sunday.
  • Courtland Sutton was amazing again, hauling in another one-handed touchdown catch, his 10th of the season (tied for second-most in the NFL). He should be headed to the Pro Bowl (more on that below).
Pro Bowl voting update 
  • C Lloyd Cushenberry, DB Justin Simmons, K Wil Lutz, FB Michael Burton and returner Marvin Mims are among the top 10 vote-getters at their respective positions so far (fan voting runs through Christmas).
  • Broncos players NOT in the top ten at their position in fan voting: CB Pat Surtain (😡), G Quinn Meinerz, WR Courtland Sutton and LT Garett Bolles. WHAT! I’d argue that Surtain, Meinerz and Sutton are the team’s most deserving Pro Bowl candidates (Simmons is too, of course).
  • Broncos fans need to exercise their civic duty and get out and vote!
Drake Maye and Caleb Williams skipping bowl games 
  • Maye and Williams are skipping their college bowl games. Maye has already declared for the NFL draft. Williams I don’t think has officially yet.
  • Russell Wilson has $37 million of his 2025 salary become fully guaranteed if he’s on the roster on the fifth day of the new league year in 2024. So the Broncos basically have to make a two-year commitment to Wilson if they bring him back in the spring.
  • Broncos aren’t in position to draft Maye or Williams, but trades are always possible. GM George Paton has scouted both QBs in person this fall.
Playoff picture update
  • Texans (7-6), Colts (7-6), Steelers (7-6) and Browns (8-5) are above Broncos in the Wild Card race, but Denver is now just one game behind the Chiefs (8-5) in the AFC West. Wild Card is still the Broncos’ best bet to make the playoffs. Even if they lose to the Lions, the New York Times says Denver has a 93% chance to make the playoffs if they finish 10-7.
Lions game 
  • Sean Payton was the Jets’ offensive coordinator when they drafted TE Dan Campbell in 1999, then Payton had a role in the Cowboys signing Cambell in 2003 (also as OC). Later, as a head coach, Payton signed Cambell with the Saints in 2009 (his playing career ended in New Orleans due to injury). Payton and Campbell go way back.
  • After the Broncos started 1-5 this year, Payton pointed to the Lions as an example of what Denver could do. Detroit started 1-6 last year before winning eight of their final 10 games. Since Payton said that, the Broncos have won six of their last seven games.
  • So who wins on Sunday? The Lions are in a bit of a slump lately. In their last five games, Detroit lost to the Bears, barely beat the Saints, lost to the Packers, barely beat the Bears and barely beat the Chargers. They are a beatable team, but it won’t be easy to win in Detroit.
  • The Lions are listed as 4-point favorites against the Broncos.

Ryan and I will return each week during the season to react to every game.

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