The Denver Broncos are going to look much different in 2023 than they did in 2022. The team fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett after only one season as they fell woefully short of expectations. In his place, the team has hired Sean Payton to be the head coach.
There is some pressure on Payton to get this team going on the offensive side of the ball, where they were abysmal in 2022. Getting Russell Wilson back on track after the worst season of his professional career is task No. 1.
Wilson struggled in Hackett’s system, looking like a shell of the player that he was with the Seattle Seahawks. It certainly wasn’t from a lack of weapons as the Broncos have a nice group of young, talented skill position players. This offseason they could look to add to that group as well.
Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton lead a solid group of wide receivers that should be getting Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler back from injury. But, the running back position could see some changes this offseason.
Javonte Williams suffered a serious knee injury last season, reportedly suffering damage to multiple ligaments. Melvin Gordon was released during the season and it is fair to assume that veteran Latavius Murray will be moved on from as well. With uncertainty surrounding Williams and when he can return, running back becomes a sneaky position of need.
That is why the Broncos are projected to sign running back Miles Sanders in free agency this offseason. Sanders had a career season with the Philadelphia Eagles, which resulted in the first Pro Bowl nomination of his career.
He ran for a career-high 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns, making him an ideal early-down pairing for Williams, who provides explosiveness as both a ball carrier and pass catcher. Sanders has seen his involvement in the passing game decrease each professional season.
When Payton was head coach of the New Orleans Saints, he deployed a two-back system with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, who had diverse skill sets. The same could be done with Sanders and Williams in the Mile High City.
Sanders also provides the team with excellent insurance in case Williams’s return to the field takes longer than anticipated or he struggles to regain his form. Given the severity of his knee injury, that is something that Denver should be fully prepared for.
