Broncos' Quiet Offseason Is Really Just a Holding Pattern

The Denver Broncos, for all their talk of a "new era" post-Russell Wilson, have mostly just been… quiet. Silent, almost, if you discount the massive salary dump trade that sent Wilson packing to Pittsburgh with a hefty dead cap hit of $85 million. It’s the largest in NFL history, by the way. And it’s a bill Denver will be paying for a while.

Look, George Paton and Sean Payton have been busy, sure. They released safety Justin Simmons, a Pro Bowler in 2023 who led the team with three interceptions, saving the Broncos $14.5 million. They also cut defensive tackle D.J. Jones, freeing up another $10 million. Those moves were about shedding weight, not adding impact players.

Their big splash? Signing quarterback Zach Wilson. Yes, *that* Zach Wilson. The guy who threw for just eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 12 games for the Jets last season. He’s expected to compete with Jarrett Stidham, who started two games for Denver in 2023, for the starting job. That’s not exactly inspiring confidence for a fanbase that endured the worst offense in the league for much of the last eight years. Denver ranked 26th in total offense in 2023, averaging just 18.0 points per game.

Thing is, the Broncos have been handcuffed by Wilson's contract for months. They entered free agency with roughly $17 million in cap space, less than half of what many other teams had. So, while other clubs were dishing out big money to top-tier free agents, Denver was mostly watching from the sidelines. They brought back safety P.J. Locke on a two-year, $7 million deal, a solid depth piece who had two picks last year. They also signed former Jets defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, who recorded 33 tackles in 17 games in 2023. These are complementary pieces, not difference-makers.

The roster, as it stands, is a patchwork. Courtland Sutton, who led the team with 10 receiving touchdowns last season, is still here, but his future feels uncertain. The offensive line needs help, especially at guard, where Quinn Meinerz is a bright spot but the depth is thin. On defense, the departure of Simmons leaves a gaping hole. Patrick Surtain II is an elite corner, but he can’t cover everyone.

Real talk: this team isn't built to compete in 2024. Not in the AFC West, not against Patrick Mahomes and the Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Denver hasn't beaten Kansas City since 2015. That’s 16 straight losses.

This quiet free agency period is a calculated move, or at least it should be. It signals a full-on rebuild, a complete tearing down of what’s left. They need to hit big in the draft, especially with the 12th overall pick. They need a quarterback of the future, whether it's J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, or Michael Penix Jr. They can’t afford another bust.

The Broncos brass might try to spin this as "strategic patience." But it looks more like "forced austerity." They’re stuck in neutral, waiting for the dead money from Wilson to clear before they can truly accelerate.

My hot take? They’re going to trade Sutton before the season starts for more draft capital. The return won’t be huge, maybe a third-rounder, but it’ll signal the full embrace of the rebuild.