The team hasn’t been back to the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50. But there were a lot of big-time changes for the Denver Broncos this offseason.
It’s been a rough few years for the NFL franchise that makes its home in the Mile High City. The Denver Broncos have finished with a losing campaign each of the past five seasons and owned a combined 30-51 record over that span.
And the club hasn’t made a playoff appearance since defeating the Carolina Panthers, 24-10, in Super Bowl 50.
Hence, there were a lot of major changes this offseason. The club dealt for a nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback and former Green Bay Packers’ offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is the club’s newest head coach.
So how did general manager George Paton handle the offseason? And what were his three biggest acquisitions?
Denver Broncos top offseason pickup no. 3: G/T Billy Turner (Released by Green Bay Packers)
The versatile veteran blocker is back in the Mile High City after three seasons with the Packers. Billy Turner lined up all over the offensive front during his brief stint with Matt LaFleur’s club. And he was Green Bay’s starting left tackle in the disappointing playoff loss to the visiting 49ers.
But prior to his days with the Pack, he spent two-plus seasons with the Broncos. Originally a third-round draft choice by the Miami Dolphins in 2014, he was let go during the middle of his third year with the club.
He eventually wound up in Denver but in 2019, he inked a four-year $28 million deal with Green Bay. Now he returns to the Broncos and adds flexibility to their offensive front.
Denver Broncos top offseason pickup no. 2: DE Randy Gregory (Dallas Cowboys)
Who knew? The decision to deal outside linebacker Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams in October resulted in good things for the Super Bowl 50 MVP. He wound up copping another Super Bowl ring, adding to his impressive NFL resume.
Be it with or without Miller on the team or in the lineup, the Broncos finished with just 36 quarterback traps in 17 contests in 2021.
And it was defensive end Shelby Harris who actually led Denver this past season with six sacks. But he was part of the deal that enabled the Broncos to obtain quarterback Russell Wilson (more on him later).
Hence adding former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory. The former University of Nebraska standout was a second-round draft choice in 2015 but struggled with off-the-field issues, in particular the league’s substance-abuse policy.
A year ago, the 29-year-old performer played in 12 games, made a career-best 11 starts, and tied his personal best with six sacks. He also added three forced fumbles and his first career interception.
The Broncos signed Gregory to a five-year, $70 million deal in mid-March (via Spotrac). And the Broncos, who have totaled less than 20 takeaways three straight seasons, could use more defensive playmakers.
Denver Broncos top offseason pickup: QB Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks via trade)
It seems the franchise has been down this path before. Bring in a quarterback with plenty of experience, a few that has been part of a Super Bowl team in the past, and hope they can get you back to the “Big Game.”
The Denver Broncos have made eight Super Bowl appearances – tied for the second-most ever – and all have come with the help of a signal-caller that wasn’t drafted by the organization. From Craig Morton (Cowboys) to both John Elway to Peyton Manning.
The latter two were the first overall picks in their respective drafts and each selected by the Colts.
Now enter 10-year veteran Russell Wilson, obtained in a massive deal from the Seattle Seahawks. The durable performer and nine-time Pro Bowler actually missed games this past season (3) for the first time in his impressive NFL career.
He still finished with 25 touchdown passes compared to only six interceptions. In 10 seasons and a total of 158 regular-season outings, he’s thrown for 292 scores and been picked off only 87 times.
Denver’s offensive unit managed only 36 touchdowns in 17 games this past season. That number figures to jump with Wilson guiding new head coach Nathaniel Hackett’s attack.