5 players the Denver Broncos gave up on way too soon

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 30: Punter Brett Kern #1 of the Denver Broncos punts against the New York Jets on November 30, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Broncos defeated the Jets 34 to 17. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Sportschrome/Getty Images) /

5 players the Denver Broncos gave up on way too soon

Brett Kern, P

Another insane decision by then-Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels did not work out for the Denver Broncos. In the 2009 season, the Broncos had raced out to a 6-0 start. All of a sudden, in late October, the Broncos shockingly released punter Brett Kern, who was averaging 46 yards per punt.

Kern quickly latched on with the Tennessee Titans and carved out a very good career with the team that included three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro award. Kern made it all the way to the 2022 NFL offseason with the Titans before being cut in favor of now Titans’ punter, Ryan Stonehouse.

Kern punted for a few games in 2022 with the Philadelphia Eagles because of an injury to their starting punter. Arryn Siposs. Overall, Brett Kern averaged 45.9 yards per punt over a 15-year NFL career.

The Denver Broncos could have kept Kern on their team for as long as he lasted in the NFL, but they didn’t, and they did endure some brutal years from various punters. Corliss Waitman was quite bad for the Broncos last year. They also had someone named Colby Wadman, who wasn’t any good.

Now, the Broncos will turn to Riley Dixon as their punter, who had a few uninspiring years in Denver to begin his NFL career. It’s very weird, honestly, as the air is thinner in Denver, so it’s always been seen as a much easier place to kick and punt balls.

Well, that hasn’t been the case for the Broncos.

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